HB580 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Artis McCampbellRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Sumter Co., sheriff, authorized to operate an inmate telephone system for prisoners

Summary

Allows the Sumter County Sheriff to run an inmate telephone system in the county jail and use the profits to support law enforcement, with funds deposited and audited.

What This Bill Does

The sheriff or an authorized agent can operate an inmate telephone system for prisoners in the county jail. Proceeds from the system are deposited into the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund and must be accounted for, with telephone usage fees and transactions audited annually by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. Profits from the system can be spent at the sheriff's discretion for law enforcement purposes in the public interest. The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Sumter County prisoners in the county jail who would use the inmate telephone system and may be charged usage fees
• The Sumter County Sheriff's Office and the public, through the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund that receives the proceeds and funds annual audits

Key Provisions

• Section 1: The sheriff or authorized agent may operate an inmate telephone system for prisoners confined in the county jail.
• Section 2: All proceeds are deposited into the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund; the sheriff must maintain records of telephone usage fees and transactions and these records are subject to annual audit by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.
• Section 3: Profits from the operation may be spent at the sheriff's discretion for law enforcement purposes in the public interest.
• Section 4: The act becomes effective immediately following passage and governor's approval.

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