AL SB219

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

Perishable abandoned or stolen property may be sold immediately without notice if owner cannot be located; proceeds held for six months less recovery and storage costs, then transferred to Sheriff's office if unclaimed.

Sheriff may sell or destroy unclaimed abandoned or stolen firearms after six months of recovery; firearms may only be sold to licensed federal firearms dealers through highest sealed bid process on cash basis.

Sheriff may conduct public or Internet auctions for abandoned or stolen personal property (other than firearms) unclaimed for at least six months, with notice published once weekly for two consecutive weeks or posted at courthouse for 20 days minimum.

Auction proceeds after deducting all expenses shall be deposited into a Sheriff's Fund that may be used exclusively for law enforcement purposes at the sheriff's discretion; property owners may reclaim items before sale by proving ownership and paying reasonable recovery and storage costs.