HB579 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Artis McCampbellRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Sumter Co., service of process, authorized, fees, disposition of funds

Summary

HB 579 would let Sumter County’s sheriff hire others to serve legal papers and charge specific fees, with the money going to the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund.

What This Bill Does

The bill applies only to Sumter County. It allows the sheriff to contract with private, public, or governmental entities to provide service of process (except arrest warrants). It sets three service fees: $15 for in-county service, $50 for service within the state but outside the county, and $75 for service outside the state, to be collected by court officials. Funds collected must go to the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund and may be used for law enforcement duties, without replacing other income sources.

Who It Affects

• Individuals and organizations needing service of process for civil or criminal matters in Sumter County would pay the new fees for personal service.
• The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and relevant court officials would collect and manage the new fees and deposit them into the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund, to be used for law enforcement purposes.

Key Provisions

• Applies only to Sumter County.
• The sheriff may contract with private, public, or governmental entities to provide service of process (except arrest warrants).
• Service-of-process fees: $15 within the county; $50 for matters pending or commenced in the state but outside the county; $75 for matters outside the state.
• Collected fees are deposited into the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund.
• Funds may be used for law enforcement purposes and to discharge the sheriff’s duties, but cannot replace other income sources.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or as otherwise it becomes law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Sumter County