AlabamaSB2192025 Regular SessionSenate

Clay County; authorize sheriff to dispose of certain abandoned, stolen or unclaimed property and firearms

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Clay County owners can reclaim property

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Clay County sheriff must keep permanent public records of recovered abandoned or stolen property. Records must list descriptions, recovery dates and locations, and identifying numbers, if any; property must be stored to prevent damage. For firearms not covered by other disposal laws, the sheriff must seek owners, including by notifying nearby county sheriffs. Owners can reclaim property, including firearms, before sale by showing proof of ownership that satisfies the sheriff. Owners must pay reasonable recovery, care, and storage costs, plus their share of any sale-notice publication costs.

Perishable property sales preserve claimable money

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Clay County sheriff may immediately sell perishable recovered property without notice after reasonable owner searches fail. The sheriff must seek the best possible price and hold the money for six months. During that time, owners can demand payment, minus recovery, storage, care, and sale costs. After six months, unclaimed net money goes to the sheriff’s office.

Unclaimed guns face sale or destruction

Beginning October 1, 2025, Clay County firearm owners have six months after recovery to claim guns before sale or destruction. This rule applies only when another law does not govern disposal. Sales require dealer notice, sealed bids, and cash payment; only gun dealers with current federal firearms licenses may buy. The highest bidder wins, and money left after recovery, care, and sale costs goes to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff may instead destroy firearms and spend necessary sheriff’s-office funds on destruction.

Unclaimed property auctions fund county policing

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Clay County sheriff may auction non-firearm property unclaimed for at least six months, publicly or online. The sheriff must seek owners, including notifying nearby county sheriffs about heirlooms or valuable items. Auction notices must describe items and give the sale’s place, date, and time. Notice must appear in a county newspaper weekly for two consecutive weeks, starting at least 20 days before sale, or at the courthouse for at least 20 days. Sales go to the highest bidder, but unreasonably low bids may be rejected and sales continued when no bidders appear; records must note sales. After recovery, storage, care, and sale costs, net auction money enters a Sheriff’s Fund at a Clay County bank, usable only for law-enforcement duties at the sheriff’s discretion.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Randy Price
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 120 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 709

Yes: 11 • No: 0 • Other: 91

House vote • 4/8/2025

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 54

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 30 • No: 0