SB304 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to Hale County; to provide for additional minimum qualifications for individuals elected or appointed to the office of sheriff, that the individual is a U.S. citizen, has been a resident and registered voter of Hale County for one year prior to qualifying or being appointed, is a high school graduate or the equivalent, is the age of 25 or older, has three years or more of law enforcement service, has never been convicted of a felony; and to require completion of continuing education.

Summary

SB304 adds stricter minimum qualifications for Hale County Sheriff candidates and appointees, including citizenship, residency, voting status, age, education, law enforcement experience, and ongoing training.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the act requires anyone qualifying for election or appointed as Hale County Sheriff to meet several new criteria in addition to existing law. They must be a United States citizen, have lived in Hale County for at least one year before qualification or appointment, and be a registered voter in Hale County for at least one year before qualification or appointment. They must be at least 25 years old and have a high school diploma or GED, plus at least three years of full-time law enforcement experience and no felony conviction. It also requires the sheriff to complete 12 hours of executive-level continuing education each year, with proof filed with the county judge of probate by December 31.

Who It Affects

• People seeking election to or appointment as Sheriff of Hale County, who must now meet the new citizenship, residency, voter registration, age, education, and experience requirements and maintain ongoing training.
• County government and oversight entities (the judge of probate who receives annual CE proofs, and the Alabama Sheriffs Association/National Sheriffs' Association that approves the continuing education) involved in administering and verifying these qualifications.

Key Provisions

• Qualification requirements for sheriff candidates/appointtees: US citizen; Hale County resident for at least one year before qualification or appointment; registered to vote in Hale County for at least one year before qualification or appointment; age 25 or older; high school diploma or GED; at least three years of full-time law enforcement experience as certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission; no felony conviction.
• Continuing education: annual minimum of 12 hours of executive-level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriffs Association or the National Sheriffs' Association; proof of attendance filed with the county judge of probate by December 31 each year.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage.

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

Subjects

Hale County, qualifications for sheriff.