Alabama House Bill HB302

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/22
• Refer: 2/8/22
• Engrossed: 2/17/22
• Refer: 2/17/22
• Enrolled: 3/17/22
• Chaptered: 3/17/22
• Passed: 3/17/22

Caption

Baldwin Co., sheriff, expense allowance, salary, cost-of-living adjustments, provided for, Secs. 45-2-230, 45-2-230.02 repealed

Impact

The passage of HB302 will effectively repeal existing state law sections pertaining to the compensation of the sheriff, specifically Sections 45-2-230 and 45-2-230.02 of the Code of Alabama 1975, indicating a significant change in how the sheriff's salary is determined. By standardizing the salary and linking it to potential cost-of-living adjustments, the bill aims to provide a more consistent and potentially more fiscally manageable structure for the sheriff’s compensation going forward.

Summary

House Bill 302 addresses the compensation structure for the Sheriff of Baldwin County, proposing a salary and additional expense allowance to ensure the sheriff's total compensation amounts to $130,000 per year. The bill outlines that this amount will be comprised of an annual salary and expenses payable in monthly installments from the county's general fund. Furthermore, it incorporates stipulations that any future cost-of-living adjustments made to employees within the sheriff's office will also apply to the sheriff's compensation.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB302 appears to be favorable given that during its passage through legislative processes, there was a unanimous vote of 32-0 in favor of the bill. This suggests a consensus or at least a lack of opposition among legislators regarding the necessity and benefits of providing a structured compensation approach for the sheriff, which might help in retaining quality leadership within the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.

Contention

Although the bill did not seem to face opposition in the voting process, notable points of contention could still arise regarding future funding for the sheriff's compensation from the county's budget, especially in light of any local economic challenges. Ensuring that the sheriff's office is funded adequately while addressing the needs of the community could raise discussions within local governance circles about budget priorities and resource allocation.