The bill establishes two new funds within the state treasury: the Behavioral Health Trust Fund and the Behavioral Health Program Fund. The Behavioral Health Trust Fund is created as a nonreverting fund that will consist of various sources such as distributions, appropriations, gifts, grants, and donations. The state investment officer is tasked with investing the fund's money according to the prudent investor rule and must report quarterly on these investments. Additionally, starting July 1, 2026, a distribution of five percent of the average year-end market values of the trust fund will be made to the Behavioral Health Program Fund.
The Behavioral Health Program Fund will also consist of similar financial sources and will be administered by the health care authority. This fund is designated for appropriations to support services and programs related to behavioral health, including mental health and substance abuse treatment, necessary infrastructure, and matching funds for other grants. Expenditures from this fund will require warrants from the secretary of finance and administration, and any unspent balance at the end of the fiscal year will revert to the Behavioral Health Trust Fund. Additionally, the bill includes a significant transfer of one billion dollars from the general fund to the Behavioral Health Trust Fund to support these initiatives.