HB300 Summary

• Requires Autauga County Sheriff to maintain permanent records of all abandoned and stolen personal property recovered, including descriptions, recovery dates, serial numbers, and recovery locations, with records open to public inspection.

• Authorizes sheriff to sell perishable abandoned or stolen property immediately without notice and hold proceeds for six months; unclaimed proceeds after deducting recovery and storage costs go to the Sheriff's office.

• Permits sheriff to sell or destroy unclaimed abandoned or stolen firearms after six months, with firearms sold only to federally licensed gun dealers submitting highest sealed bids; proceeds after expenses go to Sheriff's office.

• Requires sheriff to conduct public auctions at least every six months for unclaimed property (excluding firearms) with notice published in newspapers or posted at courthouse for at least 20 days before sale.

• Directs all auction proceeds, after deducting recovery, storage, maintenance, and sale expenses, to be deposited in a Sheriff's Fund for exclusive use in law enforcement purposes as determined by the sheriff.