The bill introduced on March 21, 2025, aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by establishing a new section, 16-9G-3, which creates the Tobacco Cessation Initiative Program Special Revenue Account. This account will be managed by the Director of the Bureau for Public Health and is intended to fund tobacco cessation efforts. The bill stipulates that all funds deposited into this account will be used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the article, with a provision allowing for expenditures from collections for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, rather than requiring legislative appropriation.

Additionally, the bill mandates that by July 30, 2025, and each subsequent July 30, $5 million from the interest and returns accrued on the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund Part B will be transferred to the Tobacco Cessation Initiative Program Special Revenue Account. This funding is designated solely for the initiatives described in the bill. The legislation ensures that any remaining balance in the fund at the end of each fiscal year will not revert to the General Revenue Fund but will remain available for future expenditures related to tobacco cessation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-9G-3