HB487 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Alan BakerRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: Escambia Co., sheriff, qualifications, continuing education required
Summary: HB487 requires strict qualifications for Escambia County's sheriff candidates and requires the elected sheriff to complete at least 12 hours per year of executive-level continuing education.
What This Bill Does
If passed, the bill sets specific requirements that a person must meet to qualify for election or appointment as Escambia County sheriff (such as citizenship, residency, voter status, education, age, and prior law enforcement experience with no felony convictions). It also requires the elected sheriff to complete at least 12 hours annually of executive-level continuing education approved by professional associations. The law applies only to Escambia County and becomes effective immediately after approval.

Who It Affects
Candidates seeking election or appointment as Sheriff of Escambia County, who must meet the specified qualifications to qualify.
The elected Sheriff of Escambia County, who must complete at least 12 hours of executive-level continuing education each year.

Key Provisions
Qualifying individuals must be a US citizen, have lived in Escambia County for at least one year, be an elector (registered to vote in the county for at least one year), hold a high school diploma or GED, be at least 25 years old, have three or more years of full-time law enforcement service with arrest power and maintain appropriate certification/recertification with the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, and have no felony conviction in Alabama or offenses elsewhere that would be a felony here.
Upon election, the sheriff must complete at least 12 hours per year of executive-level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff's Association, the National Sheriff's Association, or other recognized programs.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Escambia County