Alabama House Bill HB447

Alabama 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/11/24
• Report Pass: 4/17/24
• Refer: 4/11/24
• Engrossed: 4/23/24
• Report Pass: 4/30/24
• Refer: 4/23/24
• Enrolled: 5/8/24
• Passed: 5/17/24

Caption

Marengo County, sheriff, service of process for personal service by the sheriff, distribution to sheriff and district attorney

Impact

The enactment of HB447 is expected to have an economic impact on the operations of the sheriff's office in Marengo County. The fees collected from the service of process will be allocated to the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund, which can be utilized for law enforcement purposes. This could enhance the operational capabilities of the sheriff's office, allowing for better resource allocation towards public safety needs in the county.

Summary

House Bill 447 is legislation aimed specifically at Marengo County, Alabama, which allows the county sheriff to contract with various entities for the service of process. The bill outlines a structured fee system for the service of civil documents, detailing different fees depending on whether the service pertains to documents within the county, state, or outside state jurisdiction. Specifically, it sets fees at $50 for in-county civil document services, $50 for services within the state but outside the county, and $75 for services involving court documents from outside the state.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB447 appears to be supportive within the local legislative context, as demonstrated by the unanimous vote of 30-0 in favor of the bill during its third reading. This suggests a general consensus that the changes proposed by the bill will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal processes in the county. However, there may be concerns regarding the potential impact of the fees on residents requiring service of process, especially if such fees contribute to financial hardships.

Contention

While HB447 is largely framed as a measure for improving the functionality of the sheriff's office regarding service of process, it may raise points of contention regarding the financial burden on individuals needing to access these services. The bill does include a provision for fee waivers based on demonstrated financial hardship, which may help mitigate some concerns. Nonetheless, discussions among community stakeholders regarding the implications of fee structures and the overall approach to contracting may emerge as the bill is implemented.