Senate Bill 175 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes KitchensSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Marshall County; abandoned and stolen property, auction procedures revised

Summary

SB175 rewrites Marshall County's rules for handling abandoned and stolen property recovered by the sheriff, including how and when items are auctioned and how firearms are handled, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Marshall County Sheriff to sell abandoned or stolen property that remains unclaimed for 12 consecutive months through public or Internet auctions. Sets a minimum cadence of at least every six months for non-perishable items, with notice by newspaper publication for two weeks or by posting at the courthouse for at least 20 days before the auction. Requires sales to be cash payments, records the sale in the storage record book, and allows the seller to reject bids that are deemed unreasonably low; sales may continue if no bidders are present. Adds firearms-specific rules: maintains a permanent record of abandoned or stolen firearms, may sell or destroy firearms after 12 months if unclaimed, and may sell firearms only to licensed gun dealers with the highest sealed bid; proceeds go to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office; owner-notification efforts are required. Effective date: the act becomes law on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Property owners or others whose abandoned or stolen property recovered by the Marshall County Sheriff remains unclaimed for 12 months (their property will be sold at auction).
• Licensed gun dealers (FFLs) who may bid on recovered firearms; firearms sales are limited to FFL holders and proceeds go to the Sheriff’s Office.

Key Provisions

• 45-48-231.20: Abandoned or stolen property unclaimed after 12 months must be sold at public or Internet auction.
• 45-48-231.22: Property unclaimed after 12 months must be sold at least every six months (except perishable property), with notice by newspaper for two weeks or posting at the courthouse for at least 20 days prior to the sale, including item descriptions.
• 45-48-231.24: Sales must be paid in cash; sale details recorded; bidder bids may be rejected if unreasonably low; sale may continue if no bidders.
• 45-48-231.27: Creates a permanent firearms record; owner-location efforts; sale restricted to current FFL gun dealers via highest sealed bid; proceeds to the Sheriff’s Office; sheriff may destroy firearms; establishes destruction procedures.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Marshall County