HB139 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Corley EllisRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to Shelby County; to provide for the qualifications of the sheriff; and to require completion of continuing education.
Summary: HB139 sets strict sheriff qualifications for Shelby County and requires the sheriff to complete annual executive-level continuing education.
What This Bill Does
Applied only in Shelby County, it establishes detailed eligibility rules for anyone running for sheriff or appointed to the office. It requires US citizenship, one year of county residence, county voter registration for at least one year, a four-year college degree from an accredited institution, being at least 25 years old, at least 10 years of full-time law enforcement service certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, and a clean felony record (with recertification if previously retired). It also requires the sheriff to complete at least 20 hours per year of executive-level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, the National Sheriff’s Association, or another recognized program. The act becomes effective immediately after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Candidates for election to the office of Shelby County sheriff and individuals appointed as sheriff: must meet the specified citizenship, residency, voting, education, age, law enforcement experience, certification, and felony-record requirements.
The current and future sheriff of Shelby County: must complete at least 20 hours of executive-level continuing education each year, approved by recognized professional organizations.

Key Provisions
Section 1: The act applies only to Shelby County.
Section 2: Establishes minimum qualifications for sheriff including citizenship, county residency, elector status, college degree from an accredited institution, age of 25+, 10+ years of full-time certified law enforcement service, recertification if previously retired/separated for more than two years, and no felony conviction (or equivalent) in state or other jurisdiction.
Section 3: After election or appointment, the sheriff must complete at least 20 hours per year of executive-level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, the National Sheriff’s Association, or other recognized programs.
Section 4: The act becomes effective immediately after passage and 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: Shelby County, sheriff qualifications