HB157 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve ClouseRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, 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 contingent upon adoption of const. amend. proposed by SB147, 2012 Reg. Sess.

Summary

HB157 restructures and funds the Children First Trust Fund for FY2014, requiring tobacco settlement revenues to flow into the fund, issuing quarterly allocations, moving some funds to the General Fund, and adding new tobacco funds with oversight and reporting requirements.

What This Bill Does

It appropriates 39,004,803 from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2014 to designated agencies. It requires tobacco settlement revenues to be deposited into the fund within 30 days, with the Finance Director notifying agencies of anticipated allocations and providing quarterly allocations that depend on tobacco funds. It transfers the portion of CFTF receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund in FY2014 and adds 45,168,359 from other tobacco settlement funds to specified entities; any additional tobacco revenue would be allocated only with approval from the Finance Director, the chairs of two fiscal committees, and the Governor. It also mandates a plan of investment with quality assurance metrics, oversight and reporting to legislative bodies, and a requirement that funds be expended per the law, with remaining sums staying in the fund.

Who It Affects

• State government agencies listed as recipients of the Children First Trust Fund funds for FY2014 (e.g., Department of Human Resources, Medicaid Agency, Department of Youth Services, Department of Public Health, Department of Mental Health, Juvenile Probation Services Fund, State Multiple Needs Children's Fund, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Department of Rehabilitation Services, etc.) by receiving specific appropriations and following a formal plan of investment with quarterly allocations.
• State Board of Education, whose CFTF allocation would be transferred to the State General Fund in FY2014.

Key Provisions

• Appropriation of 39,004,803 from the Children First Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, to the entities and purposes designated in Section 41-15B-2.2.
• Depositing 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; quarterly allocations are required and contingent on tobacco funds being available.
• Transfer of the portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund during FY2014.
• Additional appropriation of 45,168,359 from other tobacco settlement funds for FY2014 to specified entities (including Department of Children's Affairs, 21st Century Debt Service, Senior Services Trust Fund, Alabama Medicaid Agency, Department of Senior Services - Medicaid Waiver, etc.).
• Any additional tobacco revenue available for FY2014 would be appropriated and allocated conditionally, subject to recommendation of the Director of Finance, the chairs of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee and the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, and Governor approval.
• Plan of investment requirement: funds may be allotted only after a Plan of Investment is approved for each agency, including at least four quality assurance items and periodic reporting audited by the Examiners of Public Accounts; notification to legislators 10 days before funds reach recipients.
• Reporting requirement: Commissioner of the Department of Children's Affairs must report each approved plan of investment to the Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and the Alabama Children's Policy Council; may approve an adjusted plan upon service agency request.
• Expenditure and fund status: allocations must be expended per Section 41-15B-2.2; remaining funds at the end of the fiscal year stay in the Children First Trust Fund.
• Effective date: this act becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Children First Trust Fund