SB242 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rusty Glover

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Arthur OrrShadrack McGillClay ScofieldGerald O. Dial

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, 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

Summary

SB242 directs substantial 2012 funding from the Children First Trust Fund and tobacco settlement funds to child-focused programs, with revenue deposits, quarterly allocations, plan-of-investment requirements, and strong oversight.

What This Bill Does

It appropriates $42,112,181 from the Children First Trust Fund for specific agencies and programs for FY2012. It also allocates $45,966,572 from other tobacco settlement funds to various entities for the same fiscal year. The bill requires tobacco revenues to be deposited into the Children First Trust Fund within 30 days of receipt, mandates written notifications of anticipated allocations, and imposes quarterly allocations that depend on tobacco revenue availability. It establishes that additional tobacco funds can be appropriated only with specified approvals and requires each agency to submit a plan of investment with quality assurance measures and periodic reporting to auditors and legislators.

Who It Affects

• State agencies and programs listed in Section 1(a) (e.g., Department of Human Resources, Department of Youth Services, Juvenile Probation Services, Medicaid Agency, Department of Public Health, Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, etc.) by receiving defined dollar amounts for FY2012, subject to tobacco-revenue receipts and quarterly distribution rules.
• Department of Children's Affairs, Director of Finance, and legislative oversight bodies (Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and Alabama Children's Policy Council) who will oversee, certify, and report on plans of investment, allocations, and compliance with tobacco-revenue conditions.

Key Provisions

• Appropriation of $42,112,181 from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2012 to designated agencies and programs per Section 41-15B-2.2.
• Deposit of tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund within 30 calendar days of receipt.
• Director of Finance must notify each agency of anticipated allocations in writing; quarterly allocations must begin when funds are available, with equal distribution if revenues are late and adjustments if additional sums become available.
• Allocations from the Children First Trust Fund are conditioned on receipt of tobacco revenues; any additional tobacco revenue allocations require approval by the Director of Finance, the House Ways and Means General Fund Chair, the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Chair, and the Governor.
• Additional tobacco settlement funds totaling $45,966,572 are appropriated to various entities for FY2012, including the Department of Children's Affairs, 21st Century Debt Service, Senior Services Trust Fund, Alabama Medicaid Agency, and Medicaid Waiver programs.
• A Plan of Investment must be certified before funds are allotted, include at least four quality assurance items, and be auditable; the Commissioner of the Department of Children's Affairs must establish reporting standards and notify legislators 10 days before funds reach recipients.
• The Commissioner must report each approved plan of investment to the Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and the Alabama Children's Policy Council, and may authorize adjusted plans; the Legislature intends funds to meet immediate needs of children.
• Remaining funds in the Children First Trust Fund at year end stay in the fund and do not revert to the General Fund, with exceptions only as provided by future related statutes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Children First Trust Fund