AL SB263

The Sheriff of Etowah County may contract with private, public, or governmental entities to handle service of process for documents other than arrest warrants.

Court clerks, sheriffs, or other appropriate court officials in Etowah County district and circuit courts must collect a $35 fee per case for each party requiring personal service of process by the sheriff.

Collected service of process fees shall be paid into the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund and may be used by the sheriff at their discretion for any lawful purpose.

The district attorney and grand juries are exempt from paying the service of process fees.

The act becomes effective December 1, 2024, contingent upon ratification of a 2022 Alabama Constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to regulate court costs in Etowah County.