HB468 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tracy EstesRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Marion County, service of process further provided for, Service of Process Fund created, distribution of fees provided for

Summary

HB468 creates a Marion County Service of Process Fund funded by a new $50 per-case fee to support service of process and related activities.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Marion County Service of Process Fund in the county treasury and requires audits of the fund; it imposes a $50 per-case service-of-process fee collected by clerks and sheriffs for personal service by the sheriff, with the money paid into the fund; the sheriff may contract with private, public, or governmental entities to provide service of process for documents other than warrants; and the county commission may use the fund’s money for any lawful purpose while exempting the district attorney and grand juries from paying the fee. The act takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Parties needing personal service of process in Marion County will face a $50 per-case fee paid into the new fund.
• The Marion County Clerk, Sheriff, and other court officials who collect and manage the fee and the fund must maintain accounts for audit.
• The Marion County Commission may use fund money for any lawful purpose and the fund’s activities are subject to oversight.
• The District Attorney and grand juries are exempt from paying these new fees.
• Contracts for service of process may involve private, public, or governmental entities chosen by the Sheriff.
• Auditors from the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts will review the fund.

Key Provisions

• Creation of the Marion County Service of Process Fund within the county treasury and requirement to maintain auditable accounts.
• Authority for the Sheriff to contract with private, public, or governmental entities to provide service of process for documents other than warrants.
• Imposition of a $50 per-case service of process fee for personal service by the sheriff, with fees paid into the fund.
• Fees collected in both criminal and civil divisions and the fund may be used at the county’s discretion for any lawful purpose, without replacing other income, and with district attorney and grand juries exempt from payment.
• Effective date of October 1, 2025 and audit requirement by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.

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

Subjects

Marion County