HB269 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Pebblin W. WarrenRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, 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

HB269 would restructure funding for Alabama's Children First Trust Fund in FY2023 by directing tobacco settlement revenues into the fund, setting quarterly, conditional allocations to specified agencies, and transferring a portion of funds to the General Fund with additional tobacco revenue allowances.

What This Bill Does

It appropriates 40,198,388 from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2023 to designated agencies for specific purposes. It deposits tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund, requires the Finance Director to notify agencies of anticipated allocations, and allocates funds quarterly with allocations conditioned on tobacco revenues. It transfers the portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund in FY2023. It also appropriates 52,239,843 from other tobacco settlement funds for FY2023 to various programs and allows additional tobacco revenue to be allocated conditionally based on recommendations and Governor approval, along with plan-of-investment and reporting requirements.

Who It Affects

• Children and families who rely on services funded by the Children First Trust Fund programs (e.g., child welfare, health, juvenile services, and Medicaid-related services) will be impacted by the new allocation structure and quarterly distribution timing.
• State agencies and government bodies involved in the funding (including the State Board of Education, Department of Early Childhood Education, and the Legislature) will be affected by the transfer of funds, quarterly allocations, investment planning requirements, and oversight reporting.

Key Provisions

• A $40,198,388 appropriation from the Children First Trust Fund for FY2023 to designated entities per Section 41-15B-2.2.
• Tobacco settlement revenues must be deposited into the Children First Trust Fund within 30 days of receipt.
• The State Director of Finance must notify each agency of anticipated allocations in writing and allocate funds quarterly, with allocations conditioned on tobacco revenues.
• A portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education shall be transferred to the State General Fund in FY2023.
• An additional $52,239,843 from other tobacco settlement funds is appropriated for FY2023 to specified programs and agencies.
• Any additional tobacco revenue may be appropriated and allocated conditionally, upon recommendations by the Finance Director and committee chairs and Governor approval.
• A plan of investment and quality assurance requirements: agencies must submit investment plans with at least four quality assurance items, subject to audit; the Commissioner of Early Childhood Education must approve plans and notify legislators 10 days before funds reach recipients; plans and investments are overseen by Joint Interim Legislative Oversight Committee and the Alabama Children's Policy Council.
• Unspent funds in the Children First Trust Fund at year-end remain in the fund and do not revert to the General Fund.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Children First Trust Fund