The bill proposes an appropriation of $36,616,436 from the Children First Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, to various designated entities as outlined in Section 41-15B-2.2 of the Code of Alabama 1975. It mandates the deposit of tobacco settlement revenues into the Trust Fund and requires the State Director of Finance to provide written notifications of anticipated agency allocations. Additionally, the bill stipulates that allocations are contingent upon the receipt of tobacco revenues and outlines a process for quarterly allocations to agencies. It also includes a provision for transferring a portion of the Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund during the fiscal year.

Furthermore, the bill appropriates an additional $44,177,773 from other tobacco settlement funds for the same fiscal year, with allocations designated for various entities, including the Department of Early Childhood Education and the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The bill emphasizes the need for a plan of investment for each agency receiving funds, which must include quality assurance measures to evaluate the success of the services provided. The Secretary of the Department of Early Childhood Education is tasked with overseeing these investments and ensuring that funds are utilized effectively to meet the needs of children. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-15B-2, 41-15B-2
Enrolled: 41-15B-2