HB513 Summary

• Chilton County Sheriff must maintain permanent records of all abandoned, stolen, lost, and unclaimed property recovered, including descriptions, dates, serial numbers, and recovery locations, with records open to public inspection.

• Perishable property may be sold immediately without notice if owner cannot be located; sale proceeds held for 6 months and returned to owner minus recovery and storage costs, with unclaimed funds paid to Sheriff's Office.

• Sheriff may sell or destroy unclaimed firearms after 6 months; firearms may only be sold to licensed federal firearms dealers through sealed bids on a cash basis, with proceeds paid to Sheriff's Office after expenses.

• Sheriff shall conduct public auctions at least every 6 months for unclaimed personal property (excluding firearms) with notice published in newspapers once weekly for 2 weeks or posted at courthouse for minimum 20 days.

• Property owners may claim items before sale by providing proof of ownership and paying reasonable recovery, maintenance, storage, and pro rata publication costs; auction proceeds after expenses deposited to Sheriff's Fund for law enforcement purposes.