This bill appropriates funds for the Department of Health's Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. It establishes a maximum of one administrative analyst position with a salary of $43,881, along with additional funding for personal services matching, operational expenses, and professional fees, totaling $357,456. The bill also includes provisions for monitoring and evaluating program expenditures from the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund and outlines the restrictions on transferring appropriations, ensuring that any modifications to budget classifications require approval from the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State and the Legislative Council.
Significant changes in the bill include the adjustment of the fiscal year dates from 2024 to 2025 for various sections, emphasizing the need for timely funding to support the agency's operations. An emergency clause is also included, stating that the act must take effect on July 1, 2025, to prevent disruption in essential governmental programs. The bill reinforces the intent of the General Assembly to comply with the original purposes of the Tobacco Settlement funds and mandates transparency regarding the funding's limitations and conditions.