HB221 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Pebblin W. WarrenRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, 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
Summary: HB 221 would restructure and fund the Children First Trust Fund for FY2019 using tobacco settlement revenues, with new deposits, quarterly allocations, and stronger oversight.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes a $38,460,473 appropriation from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2019 to designated agencies and purposes under 41-15B-2.2, and a $47,788,069 appropriation from other tobacco settlement funds for FY2019 to additional entities. It requires tobacco settlement revenues to be deposited into the Children First Trust Fund, directs the State Director of Finance to notify agencies of anticipated allocations in writing, and requires quarterly allocations that are conditioned on receiving tobacco funds. It transfers the portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund in FY2019, and allows any additional tobacco revenue to be appropriated only with recommendations from the Director of Finance and the chairs of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee and the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, with Governor approval. It requires that a plan of investment with quality assurance measures be approved for each agency, and mandates reporting and oversight to the Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and the Alabama Children's Policy Council; any remaining funds stay in the Children First Trust Fund.

Who It Affects
Group 1: State agencies and programs funded by the Children First Trust Fund and tobacco settlement funds (e.g., agencies listed in Section 1(a) such as DHR, Medicaid Agency, Department of Public Health, Department of Youth Services, Juvenile Probation Services Fund, Mental Health, etc.), who would receive specified FY2019 allocations and must follow quarterly distribution and investment-plan rules.
Group 2: State officials and lawmakers who govern funding decisions and oversight (State Director of Finance, Governor, House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee, Department of Early Childhood Education, and Alabama Children's Policy Council).

Key Provisions
Appropriations: $38,460,473 from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2019 to designated entities; $47,788,069 from other tobacco settlement funds for FY2019 to specified entities.
Tobacco funds process: tobacco settlement revenues must be deposited into the Children First Trust Fund; Finance Director must notify agencies of anticipated allocations in writing; allocations occur quarterly and are conditioned on receipt of tobacco funds.
Transfer to General Fund: the portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education shall be transferred to the State General Fund in FY2019.
Additional tobacco revenue: any extra tobacco revenue available in FY2019 may be appropriated conditionally upon recommendations by the Director of Finance and legislative committee chairs and Governor approval.
Investment plans and oversight: funds must be spent according to an approved plan of investment with quality assurance measures; Department of Early Childhood Education oversees plan approval, reporting, and enforcement; legislators are notified before funds reach recipients.
Fund balance: any remaining funds at the end of the fiscal year stay in the Children First Trust Fund and do not revert to the General Fund or other funds.

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