Ala. Code § 40-10-139
Whenever it is determined by the Land Commissioner that it is to the best interest of the state to convey to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources the title of any lands which have been bid in at tax sale and which remain unredeemed, he may, on his own motion and without application being filed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, issue notice to the former owner or some person having an interest in such land, in the same manner as heretofore provided for in cases where application for conveyance has been filed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and, if such lands are not redeemed within the time so fixed, the same shall, upon approval of the Governor, be conveyed to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in the same manner as if application for such conveyance had been filed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Ala. Code § 40-10-139 (1975)