SB331 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to Jefferson County; to further provide for the compensation of the sheriff.

Summary

The bill sets Jefferson County sheriff pay at 133% of the highest salary of a county employee who reports to the sheriff (excluding the Chief Deputy, the Assistant Sheriff, and the Bessemer Division) starting with the next term, and it prevents automatic wage reductions for the sheriff if that top salary is cut during their term.

What This Bill Does

Links the sheriff's annual salary to 133% of the total salary paid to the highest paid county employee who serves under the sheriff, with exclusions for the Chief Deputy Sheriff, the Assistant Sheriff, and the Bessemer Division. Takes effect starting with the next term of office. Adds that if the top under-sheriff salary is reduced while a sheriff is in office, the sheriff's salary does not automatically decrease during that sheriff's incumbency.

Who It Affects

• Jefferson County Sheriff — salary determined by the top under-sheriff employee's pay (subject to the exclusions) and not automatically reduced if that top pay is cut during the sheriff's term.
• Jefferson County employees who report to the sheriff (excluding the Chief Deputy Sheriff, the Assistant Sheriff, and the Bessemer Division) — their salaries influence the sheriff's salary level via the 133% calculation.

Key Provisions

• The sheriff's annual salary shall be 133 percent of the total salary paid to the highest paid Jefferson County employee serving under the sheriff, excluding the Chief Deputy Sheriff, the Assistant Sheriff, and the Bessemer Division.
• If the highest paid under-sheriff employee's salary is reduced during a sheriff's incumbency, the sheriff's salary shall not automatically reduce during that term.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor's approval (or otherwise becomes law).

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

Subjects

Jefferson County, further provided for the compensation of the sheriff