HB187 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Court fees; use of funds allocated to sheriff's office expended

Summary

HB187 would broaden how the Sheriff’s Fund from court docket fees can be used, adding support for general sheriff's office functions and law enforcement beyond jail operations.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 12-19-312 to allow funds in the Sheriff’s Fund to be expended for the operation of the sheriff’s office and for law enforcement purposes, in addition to jail operation. The bill keeps the existing purposes for the Solicitor's Fund and Court Clerk's Fund (supporting the district attorney and the clerk’s office, respectively). It also continues to allocate the Alabama Forensic Services Trust Fund for objective analysis of scientific evidence in pending criminal investigations. The act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• The Sheriff’s Office (the sheriff and staff) – gains broader discretion to spend the Sheriff’s Fund on general office functions and law enforcement, not limited to jail operations.
• Court-system fund administrators (Sheriff’s Fund, Solicitor’s Fund, Court Clerk’s Fund) – the sheriff’s fund gains expanded use, while the Solicitor’s Fund and Court Clerk's Fund retain their described purposes and controls.

Key Provisions

• Amends §12-19-312 to allow the funds allocated to the Sheriff’s Fund, administered by the sheriff, to be expended for the operation of the sheriff’s office and for law enforcement purposes, in addition to jail operation.
• Maintains existing allocations: (a) Solicitor's Fund for district attorney expenses, (b) Court Clerk's Fund for the clerk's office, and (d) Alabama Forensic Services Trust Fund for objective analysis of scientific evidence in investigations.
• Effective date: October 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

Courts & Judges