HB276 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ronald BoltonRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to sheriffs; to provide for the acting sheriff when the office of sheriff of a county is vacant or when certain other circumstances exist in the county; and to repeal Section 11-5-5 of the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the county coroner serving as sheriff when the office of sheriff is vacant or when certain other circumstances exist in the county.
Summary: HB276 shifts acting sheriff duties from county coroners to the highest ranking deputy sheriff and repeals coroner-based provisions.
What This Bill Does
If the sheriff’s office is vacant or under specified conditions, the highest ranking deputy sheriff would serve as acting sheriff to maintain enforcement and jail operations. The bill repeals existing rules that let the county coroner fill in as sheriff under those conditions. It also sets an effective date for when these changes take effect.

Who It Affects
Highest ranking deputy sheriff in each county — will discharge the duties of the sheriff when the office is vacant, the sheriff is incompetent, the sheriff is imprisoned, the sheriff is a party in a related criminal proceeding, or when directed by the probate judge.
County coroners — previously designated to serve as sheriff under certain conditions; the relevant provisions are repealed, removing that automatic coroner role.

Key Provisions
The acting sheriff must be the highest ranking deputy sheriff and will discharge sheriff duties under five specified circumstances (vacancy, incompetence, imprisonment, certain criminal proceedings, or probate judge direction).
Repeals Sections 11-5-5 through 11-5-9 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which related to the county coroner serving as sheriff under certain conditions.
Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after its passage and 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: Sheriff, vacancies in office, highest ranking deputy to serve as acting sheriff