SB342 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Will BarfootSenator
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: SB342 removes residency-based limits on how Alabama district attorneys can hire staff and clarifies funding and employment rules.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, district attorneys could hire assistant district attorneys, investigators, clerical, secretarial, and other personnel without being limited by where those people live. These employees would serve at the district attorney's pleasure and would not be State Merit System employees, except as local law for Talladega County may provide. The DA could pay these staff from funds available for that purpose and could use grants, appropriations, gifts, and other sources to fund the positions. Counties may also provide additional financial support to cover state expenditures as needed.

Who It Affects
District attorneys and their offices gain broader hiring authority, removing residency restrictions for staff recruitment.
Potential staff applicants and the broader workforce are affected by the expanded ability of DAs to hire personnel from any location and the funding sources that support those positions.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 12-17-220 to remove residency-based restrictions on a district attorney's hiring authority.
Authorizes the district attorney to employ personnel (assistants, investigators, clerical, secretarial, and other staff) in any manner deemed necessary, paid from funds available for that purpose.
Employees hired under this authority serve at the pleasure of the district attorney and are not considered employees under the State Merit System Act, with local law exceptions for Talladega County.
District attorney may supplement salaries and use funds from grants, appropriations, gifts, and other sources for the stated purposes or other law enforcement purposes.
Counties are authorized to supplement state expenditures as needed and provide other financial support as required by law.
The act becomes effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Courts, removed restrictions on district attorney personnel