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AlabamaHB6122026 Regular SessionHouse

Covington County; sheriff authorized to sell certain abandoned, unclaimed, or stolen property and firearms, auction and disposition of funds provided, constitutional amendment

Sponsored By: Matthew Hammett (Republican)

Adopted

Covington County

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Public records for recovered Covington County property

The Covington County sheriff must keep permanent records of recovered abandoned or stolen property. Records must include each item's description, recovery date, identifying numbers, and recovery location. The public can inspect these records at all reasonable times. The sheriff must store recovered property in a suitable place to prevent damage.

Unclaimed Covington guns face sale or destruction

The Covington County sheriff must keep permanent records of recovered abandoned or stolen firearms not covered by general disposal law. Records include the description, recovery date, identifying numbers if any, and recovery location. Unless another law controls, the sheriff can sell or destroy these firearms after owners leave them unclaimed for six months. Sales must go to gun dealers with current federal firearms licenses, using the highest sealed bid and cash payment. Net proceeds go to the sheriff's office after recovery, storage, and sale costs. The sheriff can use necessary office funds to destroy firearms.

Covington owners can claim perishable sale money

The Covington County sheriff can immediately sell perishable abandoned or stolen property without notice after reasonable efforts to find its owner fail. The sheriff must seek the best possible price and hold sale money in a separate account for six months. During that period, owners can demand the money, minus recovery, storage, and sale costs. After six months, unclaimed net money goes to the sheriff's office.

Covington owners face deadlines before property auctions

The Covington County sheriff can hold public or online auctions at least every six months for property unclaimed during the preceding six months. Firearms and unauthorized sound or audiovisual recordings are excluded. Notice must run in a county newspaper once weekly for two consecutive weeks, starting at least 20 days before sale. Alternatively, notice can be posted prominently at the courthouse for at least 20 days. Notices must list the auction's place, date, time, and each item's description. Before sale, owners can reclaim items by proving ownership to the sheriff and paying reasonable recovery, upkeep, storage, and applicable publication costs. Sales go to the highest cash bidder, but unreasonably low bids can be rejected; sales can continue when no bidders attend. Property records must show the sale and amount received. After expenses, proceeds go into the sheriff's fund at a county bank, solely for law enforcement at the sheriff's discretion.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthew Hammett

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 264 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Chambliss Local Certification Resolution - Adopted Roll Call 973

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 972

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2026

LocalCertificationResolutionAdopted

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 58

House vote • 3/17/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 61 • No: 0 • Other: 41

House vote • 3/17/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 933

Yes: 68 • No: 0 • Other: 37

Actions Timeline

  1. Third Reading in Second House

    3/31/2026Senate

  2. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 972

    3/31/2026Senate

  3. Chambliss Local Certification Resolution - Adopted Roll Call 973

    3/31/2026Senate

  4. Ready to Enroll

    3/31/2026House

  5. Enrolled

    3/31/2026House

  6. Signature Requested

    3/31/2026Senate

  7. Delivered to Governor

    3/31/2026House

  8. Sent to Secretary of State

    3/31/2026House

  9. Enacted

    3/31/2026House

  10. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    3/19/2026Senate

  11. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/19/2026Senate

  12. Third Reading in House of Origin

    3/17/2026House

  13. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 933

    3/17/2026House

  14. LocalCertificationResolutionAdopted

    3/17/2026House

  15. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Local Legislation

    3/17/2026Senate

  16. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    3/17/2026Senate

  17. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    3/12/2026House

  18. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  19. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Local Legislation

    3/11/2026House

  20. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    3/11/2026House

Bill Text

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