HB101 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark ShireyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Sheriff, to authorize use of credit card or debit card

Summary

HB101 authorizes the Mobile County Sheriff to use credit or debit cards for approved purchases, with defined policies, limits, and oversight.

What This Bill Does

The Sheriff may set up procedures to pay for approved purchases using a credit or debit card. The bill requires written policies that include per-purchase and monthly spending limits, access controls, and record-keeping, plus monthly bill review and timely payment. It also requires the Sheriff to choose card providers based on costs and rewards, and any rewards must go to the Sheriff’s discretionary account; the measure does not allow spending beyond the law or create county debt.

Who It Affects

• The Mobile County Sheriff's Office: gains authority to use credit/debit cards for approved purchases and must follow the new policies and oversight.
• Mobile County government (County Commission/finances): expenditures via the Sheriff’s card must stay within legally appropriated funds, with added reporting and auditing requirements.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Sheriff to establish procedures for using a credit card or debit card issued to the Mobile County Sheriff's Office for approved purchases of tangible property or services.
• Requires written policies to include (a) a per-purchase limit, (b) a monthly spending limit considering the discretionary fund, (c) sole access controls to card numbers and security codes, (d) accurate records of all purchases, (e) periodic review during audits, (f) monthly review of bills to prevent unauthorized charges, and (g) timely full payment of bills each month.
• Requires the Sheriff to select a card provider considering annual fees, rewards/rebates, interest and other charges, penalties for termination, and other relevant factors.
• Any rewards or rebates earned must be deposited into the Mobile County Sheriff's discretionary account.
• Affirms that the purpose is to improve payment efficiency while not authorizing expenditures beyond lawful appropriations or creating debt for the Mobile County Commission.
• Effective date: June 1, 2025.

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

Subjects

Mobile County