Alabama 2024 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB217

Introduced
2/22/24  
Introduced
2/22/24  

Caption

FY25 Children's First Trust Fund

Impact

This legislation aims to streamline the funding process for child services and programs funded by the Children First Trust Fund. By ensuring that tobacco settlement funds are allocated quarterly based on the receipt of revenue, the bill also establishes accountability measures wherein each agency receiving funds must adhere to a plan of investment, which includes quality assurance standards and performance reporting. The bill would also facilitate a transfer of funds allocated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund, impacting the distribution of resources among educational programs.

Summary

House Bill 217 focuses on the appropriation and administration of funds from the Children First Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The bill designates a total of $39,531,128 for various agencies involved in child and health services, including allocations for the Alabama Medicaid Agency and the Department of Early Childhood Education, among others. Furthermore, it sets out provisions for the deposit of tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund.

Contention

There may be contention around the allocation of tobacco settlement revenues, particularly concerning the conditional nature of these appropriations based on recommendations from financial oversight bodies and the Governor's approval. Critics could argue that the dependence on tobacco revenues for funding essential child programs could lead to financial instability if revenues fall short. Additionally, the bill's stipulations about fund transfers could raise concerns regarding the priorities for educational funding, as resources intended for children's welfare could be redirected to other state needs.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL SB69

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, use of allocation pursuant to Section 41-15B-2.2 and this act, tobacco settlement revenues deposited in fund within 30 days of receipt.

AL SB147

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, use of allocation pursuant to Section 41-15B-2.2, Code of Alabama 1975 and this act, tobacco settlement revenues deposited in fund within 30 days of receipt.

AL HB183

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, use of allocation pursuant to Section 41-15B-2.2, Code of Alabama 1975 and this act, tobacco settlement revenues deposited in fund within 30 days of receipt

AL HB127

To make an appropriation of $39,097,848 from the Children First Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, to the entities and for the purposes designated in Section 41-15B-2.2, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide for the deposit of tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund; to require written notification of anticipated agency allocations by the State Director of Finance; to require quarterly allocations; to condition allocations on receipt of tobacco revenues; to provide for the transfer to the State General Fund during fiscal year 2024 that portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education; to make an appropriation of $50,511,261 from other tobacco settlement funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024; and to make a conditional appropriation and allocation of additional tobacco revenues upon the recommendation of the Director of Finance, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, and the approval of the Governor.

AL SB79

To make an appropriation of $39,097,848 from the Children First Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, to the entities and for the purposes designated in Section 41-15B-2.2, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide for the deposit of tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund; to require written notification of anticipated agency allocations by the State Director of Finance; to require quarterly allocations; to condition allocations on receipt of tobacco revenues; to provide for the transfer to the State General Fund during fiscal year 2024 that portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education; to make an appropriation of $50,511,261 from other tobacco settlement funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024; and to make a conditional appropriation and allocation of additional tobacco revenues upon the recommendation of the Director of Finance, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, and the approval of the Governor.

AL HB269

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, use of allocation pursuant to Section 41-15B-2.2 and this act, tobacco settlement revenues deposited in fund within 30 days of receipt, Finance Director to notify each agency of allocation, appropriations conditional on tobacco revenues, appropriation of additional tobacco settlement funds, audit, Children's Affairs Department to report to Legislature and Children's Policy Council, appropriations from General Fund to various entities

AL SB107

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, use of allocation pursuant to Section 41-15B-2.2 and this act, tobacco settlement revenues deposited in fund within 30 days of receipt, Finance Director to notify each agency of allocation, appropriations conditional on tobacco revenues, appropriation of additional tobacco settlement funds, audit, Children's Affairs Department to report to Legislature and Children's Policy Council, appropriations from General Fund to various entities

AL SB88

FY24 Education Trust Fund - Governor's Rec.

AL HB134

Appropriations from State General Fund for executive, legislative, and judicial agencies of the State, other functions of government, debt service, and capital outlay for fiscal year ending September 30, 2025.

AL SB67

Appropriations from State General Fund for executive, legislative, and judicial agencies of the State, other functions of government, debt service, and capital outlay for fiscal year ending September 30, 2025.

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