HB563 Summary

• Authorizes the Phenix City Police Chief to maintain permanent records of all abandoned, stolen, and unclaimed property recovered by the department, with records open to public inspection.

• Permits sale of perishable property without notice after reasonable attempts to locate the owner, with proceeds held in a separate account for six months before being paid to the owner or to the Police Chief's Office.

• Authorizes the Police Chief to sell abandoned and stolen firearms only to licensed gun dealers in Russell County (with at least one year of active business license) via sealed bid auction, or to destroy them if unclaimed after six months.

• Requires the Police Chief to conduct public auctions at least every six months for unclaimed personal property (excluding firearms), with notice published in newspapers or posted at City Hall for at least 20 days.

• Repeals Act 2000-777 from the 2000 Regular Session and becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.