HB501 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to district attorneys; to amend Section 12-17-220, Code of Alabama 1975; to remove limitations on a district attorney's authorization to hire personnel based on the residency of any current or potential personnel.

Summary

HB501 removes residency-based limits on how district attorneys hire staff, giving DA offices broader hiring authority and funding options.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets district attorneys hire necessary staff in any manner they determine and pay them from funds available. It removes restrictions based on where current or potential personnel live. It also allows the DA to supplement salaries, use various funding sources (grants, appropriations, gifts, etc.), and lets counties provide additional financial support as needed.

Who It Affects

• District attorneys and their offices: gain flexibility to hire and pay staff without residency restrictions and to use various funding sources.
• Counties and local governments: may provide additional financial support and supplement state expenditures as needed.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-17-220(a)(1): authorizes the district attorney to employ necessary personnel (assistants, investigators, clerical, secretarial, and other staff) paid from available funds, with staff serving at the district attorney's pleasure and not being part of the State Merit System Act (except as local law for Talladega County may provide otherwise).
• Amends Section 12-17-220(a)(2): removes residency-based limitations on the district attorney's authority to hire personnel.
• Amends Section 12-17-220(b): authorizes the district attorney to supplement salaries of office personnel.
• Amends Section 12-17-220(c): allows the district attorney to use funds from grants, appropriations, gifts, and other sources for the stated purposes or for other law enforcement needs.
• Amends Section 12-17-220(d): permits counties to supplement state expenditures and provide other financial support as required by laws in effect on September 30, 1977.
• Section 2: Effective immediately following the governor's signature.

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

Subjects

District attorneys, removed limitations on authorization to hire personnel based on residency of current or potential personnel