HB231 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Van SmithRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Sheriff, to authorize use of credit card or debit card
Summary: HB231 lets the Chilton County Sheriff use a credit or debit card for approved purchases, under strict policies to control spending and accountability, effective June 1, 2024.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes the sheriff to establish procedures for making purchases with a credit or debit card for approved tangible property or services. It requires a written policy that sets purchase limits, monthly spending limits, ensures the sheriff or designee has sole access to card data, maintains records, and requires monthly bill review and timely payment. It also requires selecting a card provider based on fees, rewards, interest and charges, and states that any rewards go to the sheriff's discretionary account. It clarifies that this authority does not allow spending beyond appropriations or create county debt.

Who It Affects
Chilton County Sheriff’s Office and its staff, who will use the credit/debit card under a written policy with defined limits and procedures.
Chilton County government and taxpayers, because expenditures must stay within legally appropriated funds and rewards (if any) go to the sheriff’s discretionary account, with accountability and no new county debt.

Key Provisions
Defines credit card and debit card for use by the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Allows the Sheriff to establish procedures to purchase tangible property or services using a card.
Requires a written policy including: (a) individual purchase limit, (b) monthly purchase limit considering discretionary funds, (c) restricted access to card numbers and codes, (d) meticulous record-keeping, (e) monthly bill review for unauthorized charges, (f) timely full payment of bills.
Requires the Sheriff to choose a card provider considering annual fees, rewards, interest and other charges, and possible penalties if the card is terminated.
Rewards earned from card use go to the Sheriff's discretionary account.
States the purpose is to improve efficiency and does not authorize spending beyond appropriations or create county debt.
Effective date: June 1, 2024.

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