HB573 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan BakerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Escambia County, qualifications of the sheriff further provided for

Summary

HB573 adds stricter, county-specific minimum qualifications for Escambia County’s sheriff and requires annual executive-level education after taking office.

What This Bill Does

The bill would amend the qualifications for the Escambia County sheriff by adding requirements such as US citizenship, at least one year of county residency, county voter registration for at least one year, a high school diploma or GED, and being 25 or older. It also requires three or more years of full-time law enforcement service with arrest power, certification by the Alabama POST, and specific rules about retirement or separation from active duty and recertification, including a post-retirement service criterion if applicable. After election, the sheriff must complete at least 12 hours per year of executive-level continuing education approved by recognized law enforcement associations. The act becomes effective June 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Prospective or current Escambia County sheriff candidates/officeholders, who must meet the new qualifications and complete annual executive-level continuing education after taking office.
• Alabama law enforcement officers who are POST-certified and may seek the sheriff position, who are subject to the service, retirement, recertification, and post-retirement requirements outlined in the bill.

Key Provisions

• Adds minimum qualifications for Escambia County sheriff candidates/appointments: US citizenship, at least one year residency in the county before qualifying, county elector status and at least one year of voter registration before qualifying, a high school diploma or GED, and being at least 25 years old.
• Requires three or more years of full-time law enforcement service with arrest power, certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (POST), with conditions related to retirement/separation and recertification prior to qualifying; includes a post-retirement service requirement if applicable.
• Stipulates that after election, the sheriff must complete at least 12 hours per year of executive-level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, the National Sheriff’s Association, or other recognized programs.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective 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