1. (a) Any individual appointed to serve as Sheriff of Blount County shall meet all of the following minimum qualifications, in addition to any other qualifications required by law; and, effective on the first day of the qualifying period for the 2026 election for the office of sheriff, any individual qualifying for election to the office of sheriff shall meet all of the following qualifications, in addition to any other qualifications required by law:

   1. (1) The individual is a citizen of the United States.
   2. (2) The individual has been a resident of the county for at least one year immediately prior to the date of qualification or appointment.
   3. (3) The individual has the qualifications of an elector pursuant to state and federal law, and the individual has been registered to vote in the county at least one year immediately prior to the date of qualification or appointment.
   4. (4) The individual has been awarded a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
   5. (5) The individual is 25 years of age or older prior to qualifying or being appointed.
   6. (6) The individual has three or more cumulative years of prior full-time experience as a law enforcement officer having the power of arrest.
   7. (7) The individual has never been convicted of a felony.
2. (b) This section shall not apply to or affect a supernumerary sheriff.

(Act 2022-194, §2.)