The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6974 proposes amendments to the disbursement of funds from the Tobacco Settlement Fund, specifically altering the allocation to the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund. The bill seeks to replace the previous annual disbursement amount of twelve million dollars with a new amount of thirty-two million dollars, effective July 1, 2025. Additionally, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the entire annual disbursement from the Tobacco Settlement Fund will be directed to the General Fund instead of the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund.

The purpose of this bill is to ensure adequate funding for tobacco control programs aimed at preventing and reducing tobacco use, aligning the funding levels with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The proposed changes reflect a significant increase in the financial commitment to tobacco control efforts, highlighting the state's focus on public health initiatives related to tobacco use.