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HB 6974

AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF FUNDS IN THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUND.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Saud Anwar and 2 co-sponsors

The bill changes how Tobacco Settlement Fund monies are allocated, potentially transferring funds to the General Fund or altering the uses of the Tobacco Settlement and Health Trus

TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR
#generalfund #tobaccosettlementfund #tobaccoandhealthtrustfund
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Bill Summary · HB 6974

Summary — HB 6974: "An Act Concerning the Use of Funds in the Tobacco Settlement Fund"

Status: Tabled for House Calendar (as of 2025-04-25)
Introduced: February 14, 2025
Subjects: General Fund; Tobacco Settlement Fund; Tobacco and Health Trust Fund

Note: Full bill text was not provided. This summary is based on the bill title, subject classification, and the legislative history available. For definitive language and fiscal details, consult the bill text and the Office of Fiscal Analysis report (see “Where to find the bill” below).

Main purpose / intent

The bill concerns how monies in Connecticut’s Tobacco Settlement Fund are used. Based on the title and subject tags, the bill likely proposes changes to the allocation, transfer, or permitted uses of tobacco settlement receipts among the Tobacco Settlement Fund, the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund, and the State’s General Fund. The intent of such legislation is typically to (a) change funding priorities for health programs, (b) allow transfers to support general budgetary needs, or (c) alter statutory restrictions on the use of settlement proceeds.

Key provisions (expected / typical elements)

The actual provisions are not available in this summary. Bills with this focus commonly include one or more of the following:
- Authorization to transfer a specified amount or percentage from the Tobacco Settlement Fund to the General Fund.
- Revisions to allowable uses of Tobacco and Health Trust Fund monies (e.g., expanded or narrowed eligible programs).
- One-time or recurring appropriations for public health initiatives, prevention programs, or budget relief.
- Effective dates, sunset clauses, or conditions (e.g., contingent on revenue triggers).
- Conforming changes to Connecticut General Statutes governing the settlement fund(s).

Who/what would be affected

  • State budget and fiscal planning (General Fund revenues/available balance).
  • Public health programs funded by the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund or Tobacco Settlement Fund (prevention, cessation, treatment).
  • Agencies that administer tobacco-related grants and programs (e.g., Department of Public Health).
  • Potential indirect effects on municipalities and service providers that rely on grant funding.

Fiscal and policy implications

  • Could increase short-term budget flexibility for the General Fund if transfers are authorized.
  • Could reduce dedicated funding for tobacco-related health programs if monies are redirected, with potential public-health consequences.
  • Exact fiscal impact would be determined by the bill’s dollar amounts/percentages and is subject to the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) estimate.

Legislative status & timeline

  • 2025-02-14: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health; public hearing held 02/21/25.
  • 2025-03-05: Joint Favorable Substitute filed.
  • 2025-03-12: Favorable report; placed on House Calendar (House Calendar No. 85; File No. 86).
  • 2025-03-25: Referred by House to Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding.
  • 2025-04-24: Joint Favorable; filed with LCO.
  • 2025-04-25: Reported out of LCO; no new file by Finance, Revenue and Bonding; Tabled for House Calendar.

Where to find the bill text and analyses

  • Connecticut General Assembly website (search HB 6974 / File No. 86 / bill introduced 02/14/2025).
  • Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) — fiscal note and impact statement.
  • Office of Legislative Research (OLR) — bill analysis. Consult these sources for the bill’s exact language, dollar figures, statutory changes, and official fiscal estimates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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