SB147 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, 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

SB147 redirects tobacco settlement funds to the Children First Trust Fund, provides FY2018 appropriations for children’s programs, and sets new rules for depositing funds, notifying agencies, quarterly allocations, and potential transfers to the General Fund, with conditional future tobacco revenue funding and investment reporting requirements.

What This Bill Does

It appropriates 37,725,742 from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2018 to designated entities. It requires tobacco settlement revenues to be deposited into the Children First Trust Fund, with the Finance Director notifying agencies of anticipated allocations and allocating funds quarterly, conditioned on tobacco revenues. It transfers the portion of Children First Fund receipts allocated to the State Board of Education to the State General Fund in FY2018. It also appropriates 47,788,069 from other tobacco settlement funds for FY2018 to various entities and allows additional tobacco revenue to be appropriated conditionally upon specified approvals. It imposes plan-of-investment requirements, quality assurance measures, and reporting to oversight bodies, with funds subject to future adjustments and notification to legislators.

Who It Affects

• State agencies funded by the Children First Trust Fund in FY2018 (e.g., Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Department of Human Resources, Juvenile Probation Services, Alabama Medicaid Agency, Department of Public Health, Department of Youth Services, etc.) would receive specified amounts in quarterly installments, provided tobacco funds are available.
• State Board of Education would have its portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts transferred to the State General Fund in FY2018.
• Department of Early Childhood Education would oversee plan-of-investment requirements, implement quality assurance measures, require periodic reporting, and notify legislators about grants before funds are released.
• The Department of Children's Affairs and state oversight bodies (Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and Alabama Children's Policy Council) would receive investment plans and performance reports.
• State General Fund administrators would handle transfers and conditional funding tied to tobacco revenue, with Governor approval required for any additional tobacco-related appropriations.

Key Provisions

• Appropriates 37,725,742 from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2018 to designated agencies under Section 41-15B-2.2.
• Deposits tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund within 30 days of receipt; requires written notification to each agency of anticipated allocations and allocates funds quarterly, contingent on the receipt of tobacco revenues.
• Transfers from the Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated to the State Board of Education to the State General Fund in FY2018.
• Appropriates 47,788,069 from other tobacco settlement funds for FY2018 to specified entities, including the Department of Early Childhood Education, 21st Century Debt Service, Senior Services Trust Fund, Alabama Medicaid Agency, and others.
• Provides for conditional appropriation of any additional tobacco revenue, subject to recommendations by the Director of Finance and the relevant legislative committee chairs and Governor approval.
• Imposes plan-of-investment requirements for agencies receiving funds, including minimum four quality assurance items, periodic reports, and audits; requires notification to legislators 10 days before funds reach the recipient agency.
• Requires reporting of approved plans of investment to the Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and the Alabama Children's Policy Council; allows the Commissioner of Early Childhood Education to approve adjusted plans upon request.
• Any remaining funds in the Children First Trust Fund at the end of the fiscal year stay in the fund and do not revert to the General Fund.

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