Jefferson County; sheriff compensation revised

Plain English Breakdown

The bill contains conflicting provisions: Section (a) sets the salary at $160,000 starting next term, while Section (d) sets it at $225,000 starting next term and voids subsection (a). The source text does not clarify which provision takes precedence or if one is intended to replace the other immediately.

HB373: Changes to Jefferson County Sheriff Pay

This bill changes the salary and expense allowance for the sheriff of Jefferson County, Alabama.

What This Bill Does

• Sets an annual salary of $160,000 starting with the next term of office.
• Requires that cost-of-living increases given to deputy sheriffs after this date also apply to the sheriff.
• Adds a yearly expense allowance of $40,000 paid in monthly installments from the county general fund.
• States that the expense allowance is separate from other pay and can count toward retirement contributions.
• Sets an annual salary of $225,000 starting with the next term of office.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Sheriff of Jefferson County
• Deputy sheriffs in Jefferson County regarding cost-of-living increases

Terms To Know

Term of office

The specific period of time a person holds an elected or appointed position.

Expense allowance

Extra money given to cover work-related costs, separate from regular salary.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the exact date when the next term of office begins.
• The text states that earlier pay amounts become void if the new $225,000 salary takes effect, but it lists both a $160,000 and a $225,000 salary starting at the same time without explaining which one applies first.

Official Summary Text

Jefferson County; sheriff compensation revised

Current Bill Text

HB373 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB373
CX321JQ-1
By Representatives Tillman, Hendrix, Moore (M), Datcher,
Givan, Sellers, Rafferty, Hollis (N & P)
RFD: Jefferson County Legislation
First Read: 03-Feb-26
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CX321JQ-1 01/22/2026 OW (L)cr 2026-378
Page 1
First Read: 03-Feb-26
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to Jefferson County; to amend Section
45-37-230, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide further for the
compensation of the sheriff.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 45-37-230, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"§45-37-230
(a) Effective beginning the next term of office, the
annual salary of the Sheriff of Jefferson County shall be one
hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000).
(b) Effective beginning the next term of office, the
sheriff shall receive the same cost-of-living increases
provided to deputy sheriffs in Jefferson County granted after
that date.
(c)(1) Effective beginning on the effective date of
this act, the sheriff shall receive an additional expense
allowance of forty thousand dollars ($40,000) per year,
payable in equal monthly installments from the general fund of
the county.
(2) This expense allowance shall be in addition to all
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HB373 INTRODUCED
Page 2
(2) This expense allowance shall be in addition to all
other compensation or benefits received by the sheriff and may
be treated as compensation for retirement contributions.
(d) Effective beginning with the next term of office,
the annual salary of the sheriff shall be two hundred
twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000), and the compensation
provided for in subsections (a) and (c) shall be void. "
Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first
day of the first month following its passage and approval by
the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law .
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