House Bill 543 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ernie YarbroughRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Lawrence County; sheriff, use of credit card or debit card authorized

Summary

Authorizes the Lawrence County Sheriff to use a credit or debit card for approved purchases under a written policy with strict controls.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill allows the Sheriff to establish procedures to use a county office credit or debit card for approved purchases. It requires a written policy with per‑purchase and monthly spending limits, ensures the Sheriff or designee has sole access to card numbers and codes, and mandates accurate recordkeeping and monthly review of bills. The Sheriff will select the card provider considering fees and rewards, and any rewards go to the Lawrence County Sheriff's Discretionary Fund; purchases are paid from that fund (travel from the sheriff’s general fund budget) within the county’s travel policy and without exceeding appropriations.

Who It Affects

• Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office (the Sheriff and staff) — gains authority to use cards with controlled procedures
• Lawrence County government finances — changes to payment sources, recordkeeping, and fund budgeting (Discretionary Fund and travel budget) and oversight

Key Provisions

• Allows the Sheriff to establish procedures to use a credit or debit card for approved purchases.
• Requires a written policy with per-purchase and monthly limits, sole access controls, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Requires monthly review of bills and timely, full payment to avoid fees or interest.
• Requires the Sheriff to select a card provider considering annual fees, rewards, interest, and penalties; rewards go to the Sheriff's Discretionary Fund.
• Purchases using the card are paid from the Sheriff’s Discretionary Fund, with travel expenses paid from the Sheriff’s general fund budget within the travel policy and apportioned to the year’s line items.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 18, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Lawrence County