HB384 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ronald BoltonRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Tuscaloosa County, sheriff, service of process fees for personal service, distribution of funds to circuit clerk, sheriff, district attorney, and probate judge.
Summary: HB384 changes how Tuscaloosa County handles fees for personal service of process, increasing charges and directing how the money is used by county offices and law enforcement.
What This Bill Does
It adds a new $60 per document personal service fee and increases existing charges by $12.50 for civil process in Tuscaloosa County, with the document definition including multiple papers at once and exemptions for certain court documents. The net proceeds are split between county funds, with $3 of each circuit clerk fee staying in the Circuit Clerk's Fund and $3 of each probate fee staying with the probate office; the remaining balance goes 50% to the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund and 50% to the Solicitor’s Fund for the DA's office. An $85 out-of-state service fee also applies with the same 50/50 split, the act repeals a previous contracting provision, and the changes take effect June 1, 2024.

Who It Affects
Officials and offices in Tuscaloosa County responsible for service of process (sheriff's office, circuit clerk, probate judge, district attorney) who will collect and allocate the new fees.
County residents and entities that must pay for personal service of process, including out-of-state service, and the funds that support sheriff, DA, and law enforcement operations.

Key Provisions
Provision 1: Fee changes - adds a $60 per document personal service fee and increases existing charges by $12.50; the 'document' includes multiple papers served at one time; certain documents issued by circuit court or mental health/probate orders are exempt.
Provision 2: Allocation and effective date - net fees collected are split with $3 retained in the Circuit Clerk's Fund and $3 retained by the Probate Office; the remainder is distributed 50% to the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Fund and 50% to the Solicitor's Fund for the DA's office; an $85 out-of-state service fee applies with the same split; the act repeals Section 3 of Act 99-219 and becomes effective 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: Tuscaloosa County