HB327 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jamie KielRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Franklin Co., sheriff, abandoned and stolen property, sale, procedure
Summary: HB327 authorizes the Franklin County sheriff to auction abandoned, stolen, and unclaimed property after one year, with recordkeeping, notice, and how proceeds are handled.
What This Bill Does
It allows the sheriff to sell unclaimed property at public or internet auctions after one year. It requires keeping a public record of recovered items, protecting stored property, and allows selling perishable items without notice after reasonable attempts to locate owners. It sets notice requirements and a redemption period for owners, and requires cash payments with proceeds distributed to the sheriff's office after expenses; unclaimed proceeds may go to the owner for up to six months. It requires annual auctions with published or posted notices detailing items for sale and provides rules for bid handling.

Who It Affects
Property owners whose recovered belongings have been unclaimed for one year (they may redeem before sale and potentially receive any auction proceeds after six months if unclaimed).
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office, which must maintain records, store items, conduct auctions, and receive auction proceeds.
Members of the public and potential bidders who may attend auctions and bid on items, and who may inspect public records.

Key Provisions
Section 1: Authority to sell abandoned and stolen personal property after one year of unclaimed status, via public or Internet auction.
Section 2: Recordkeeping and storage requirements; public accessibility of records; perishable items may be sold without notice after reasonable owner-location attempts; six-month hold on proceeds for the owner, then transfer to the sheriff’s department after expenses.
Section 3: Annual sale process: at least every 12 months, auction items to highest cash bidder; requires public newspaper publication or courthouse posting notices with details; owners may redeem before sale at no cost.
Section 4: Post-sale procedures: cash payments; storage record updated with sale details; seller may reject unreasonably low bids and continue the sale if no bidders.
Section 5: Proceeds handling: auction proceeds go to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Section 6: Effective date: act becomes law immediately after governor approval.

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