HB129 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris SellsRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, 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: HB129 would manage tobacco settlement funds by funding the Children First Trust Fund and other programs for FY2016, require deposits and quarterly allocations, allow transfers to the General Fund, and expand tax check-offs to support the fund.
What This Bill Does
It allocates $37,131,484 from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2016 to specific agencies and programs, and $44,835,893 from other tobacco settlement funds for FY2016 to additional programs. It requires tobacco settlement revenues designated for the Children First Trust Fund to be deposited within 30 days of receipt, ensures quarterly allocations, and conditions further allocations on actual tobacco revenue receipts. It also transfers the portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund in FY2016 and adds an income tax check-off to contribute to the Children First Trust Fund, along with requirements for investment plans and reporting to lawmakers and oversight bodies.

Who It Affects
State agencies named in the bill (e.g., Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; Department of Human Resources; Alabama Medicaid Agency; Department of Youth Services; Department of Public Health; and others) would receive specific annual appropriations from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2016 to fund children’s programs and services.
The Department of Children's Affairs and related oversight bodies (Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and Alabama Children's Policy Council) would review and require investment plans, monitor quality measures, and receive quarterly and annual reporting.
Alabama residents and taxpayers who choose to donate via the income tax check-off would have an option to contribute to the Children First Trust Fund, potentially influencing future funding through voluntary contributions.
The State General Fund would receive a transfer of a portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts that were previously allocated to the State Board of Education in FY2016.
Additional entities receiving tobacco settlement funds (e.g., DCA, Senior Services Trust Fund, Medicaid Agency, Senior Services - Medicaid Waiver, etc.) would receive funds from the supplementary tobacco settlement appropriation.

Key Provisions
Section 1(a): Appropriates $37,131,484 from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2016 to designated agencies and purposes per Section 41-15B-2.2.
Section 1(b): All CF tobacco revenues designated for the CF Trust Fund must be deposited within 30 days; the Director of Finance must notify each agency of expected allocations prior to Sept. 1, 2015; quarterly allocations must be made when revenues are available; allocations conditioned on receipt of tobacco revenues; and a portion of CF Trust Fund receipts allocated to the State Board of Education shall be transferred to the State General Fund in FY2016.
Section 3: Appropriates $44,835,893 from additional tobacco settlement funds for FY2016 to specified entities including the Department of Children's Affairs, 21st Century Debt Service, Senior Services Trust Fund, Alabama Medicaid Agency, and Medicaid Waiver programs.
Section 4: Any additional tobacco revenues available may be allocated conditionally upon recommendations from the Director of Finance and legislative chairs and governor approval; and includes an income tax refund check-off for contributions to the Children First Trust Fund.
Section 5: Requires funds to be allotted only after a plan of investment is approved for each agency, with at least four quality assurance items (e.g., number of children served, measurable success, and future investment standards); the Commissioner of the Department of Children's Affairs must prescribe a standardized plan and notify legislators 10 days before funds reach recipients.
Section 6: The Commissioner must report each approved plan of investment to the Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and the Alabama Children's Policy Council; may approve adjusted plans; funds should be directed to the most immediate needs of children.
Section 7: Amends tax check-off provisions to include contributions to the Children First Trust Fund and details how various check-offs are deposited and distributed; establishes a dropout rule if annual contributions do not meet thresholds.

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