HB502 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan BakerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Escambia County, sheriff authorized to establish procedures for use of credit or debit card

Summary

HB502 would allow the Escambia County Sheriff to establish procedures for using a county-issued credit or debit card for purchases, with limits, record-keeping, and oversight to prevent unauthorized spending.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the sheriff may make purchases using a county credit or debit card once procedures are in place. The bill requires written policies that set per-purchase and monthly limits, restrict access to card numbers and codes, require accurate records and periodic audits, require monthly review of bills for unauthorized charges, and require timely payment to avoid fees. It also requires the sheriff to consider factors like annual fees, rewards, interest and penalties when selecting a card, and any rewards earned must go to the sheriff's discretionary account; spending cannot exceed legally appropriated funds.

Who It Affects

• Escambia County Sheriff's Office personnel (the sheriff and designees) who would use the county-issued card under the new procedures.
• Escambia County government and taxpayers, due to limits tied to appropriations, oversight requirements, and the disposition of any card rewards into the sheriff's discretionary account.

Key Provisions

• The Sheriff may use a credit or debit card for purchases once procedures and requirements are established.
• Policies must include: per-purchase monetary limit; monthly purchase limit; procedures ensuring sole access to card numbers and security codes; record-keeping of all purchases with periodic audits; monthly bill review for unauthorized charges; and timely payment of bills.
• When selecting a card provider, the Sheriff must consider annual fees, rewards or rebates, interest and other charges, and penalties for termination or late payments.
• Any rewards or rebates earned must be deposited into the Escambia County Sheriff's Office discretionary account.
• The bill does not authorize spending beyond legally appropriated funds nor create a debt of the Escambia 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

Escambia County