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HB 183

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, use of allocation pursuant to Section 41-15B-2.2, Code of Alabama 1975 and this act, tobacco settlement revenues deposited in fund within 30 days of receipt

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pebblin Warren

Alabama directs tobacco settlement revenues into Children First Trust Fund for 2026 with mandatory 30-day deposit requirements to support child welfare programs.

Enacted
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 183

Legislative bill overview

HB 183 appropriates tobacco settlement revenues to Alabama's Children First Trust Fund for fiscal year 2026, requiring deposits within 30 days of receipt. The bill operationalizes existing statutory framework (Section 41-15B-2.2) by mandating timely fund transfers and establishing spending authority for the designated fiscal period.

Why is this important

Tobacco settlement funds represent long-term revenue streams dedicated to children's health and welfare programs. Establishing clear deposit timelines and fiscal appropriations ensures predictable funding for initiatives like healthcare access, smoking prevention, and child welfare services while preventing revenue delays or misallocation.

Potential points of contention

  • Fund allocation specificity: The bill references external statutory authority (41-15B-2.2) without detailing how allocated funds are actually spent, leaving allocation decisions opaque to legislative oversight
  • Revenue volatility: Tobacco settlement revenues decline annually as smoking rates fall; the bill doesn't address funding sustainability or contingency planning for program continuity
  • 30-day deposit requirement: While seemingly administrative, enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance are not specified, potentially limiting its practical effectiveness

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

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