HB125 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve ClouseRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Penny Trust Fund (PTF), Comptroller authorized to transmit funds from PTF to State Board of Education, Secs. 41-15A-2, 41-15A-6 am'd.

Summary

HB125 would let the Comptroller move Penny Trust Fund earnings to health and education programs and define how those funds are used.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Comptroller to transmit Penny Trust Fund proceeds to the Department of Public Health upon request by the State Health Officer, and to the State Board of Education upon request by the State Superintendent of Education. The funds are split 50% for infant mortality and child health programs and 50% for indigent health care programs within the Department of Public Health. For public schools, Penny Trust Fund proceeds related to health are granted to school systems that apply, with the State Board approving grants and funds distributed to the chosen systems to implement approved disease prevention plans; these funds must supplement, not replace, existing funding. The bill also defines earnings as 90% of the prior year's earnings and updates the duties of the Penny Trust Fund Board, including investment policy and reporting the amount available for payment.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Department of Public Health and the State Health Officer would receive annual Penny Trust Fund proceeds divided for health programs (infant mortality/child health and indigent care) upon request.
• Group 2: Public school systems and the State Board of Education would apply for and receive grants to fund disease prevention programs in public schools, with funds disbursed through the board and limited to approved plans.

Key Provisions

• Comptroller may transmit Penny Trust Fund proceeds to the Department of Public Health on the State Health Officer's application and to the State Board of Education on the State Superintendent's application; proceeds are split 50% for infant mortality/child health and 50% for indigent health care.
• Public health proceeds for public schools must be disbursed only to school systems that apply for grants; monies are transmitted to the State Board of Education to implement approved grants and then sent to the school systems.
• There is an appropriation from the Penny Trust Fund of accumulated earnings to fund all approved board proposals, as certified by the State Treasurer to the Director of Finance.
• The act defines earnings as 90% of the prior fiscal year's earnings and updates the duties and composition of the Penny Trust Fund Board.
• Board duties include accepting grant applications, awarding or declining grants for disease prevention programs, developing an investment policy, and notifying the State Superintendent of Education and State Health Officer annually of funds available for payment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education, State Board