Senate Bill 243 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Jefferson County, pistol permits further provided for

Summary

SB243 would set Jefferson County pistol permit fees and specify how the collected money is allocated to county funds, schools, and a Birmingham legislative office.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a $7.50 annual fee for a Jefferson County pistol permit and a $37.50 fee for a five-year permit, with the sheriff paying these to the county treasurer for distribution. The funds are split: $4.50 to the county retirement system, $0.50 to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Fund, and $2.50 to a Jefferson County Legislative Delegation Office Fund, plus rules governing unspent money and special distributions to schools if the fund balance exceeds $120,000 (as of a 2014 date), including pro rata distribution to county schools and Gardendale, with adjustments if Gardendale has not separated yet. Any remaining balance is to be used for operating a legislative office in Birmingham. The same distributions apply to the five-year permit fee, and the act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Pistol permit applicants and holders in Jefferson County (fees they would pay).
• County retirement system and Sheriff’s Fund (receiving portions of the fees).
• Jefferson County Legislative Delegation Office Fund (receiving a portion of the fees).
• Public school systems in Jefferson County (potential funding for operations and security via pro rata distributions).
• Gardendale School System (affected by separation status and distribution adjustments).
• A legislative office located in Birmingham (funds remaining after required distributions).

Key Provisions

• One-year pistol permit fee in Jefferson County set at $7.50 per year; funds paid to the county treasurer and distributed to specified accounts.
• Five-year pistol permit fee set at $37.50; distributed in the same proportions as the one-year fee.
• Distribution shares: $4.50 to the county retirement system, $0.50 to the Sheriff’s Fund, and $2.50 to the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation Office Fund, with detailed rules for transfers and reallocation.
• If the designated fund exceeds $120,000 (as of April 10, 2014), the excess must be distributed to county public schools pro rata by enrollment for operating purposes (including school security), with Gardendale adjustments as needed upon separation.
• Remaining balance after distributions is to be used for operating a legislative office in Birmingham.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

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

Subjects

Jefferson County