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HB 494

Revise tobacco settlement allocations

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Marshall

HB 494 sought to revise Montana's tobacco settlement fund allocations but died in committee after missing advancement deadlines and facing fiscal scrutiny.

(H) Died in Process
#health #statefinance #tobacco
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Bill Summary · HB 494

Legislative bill overview

HB 494 proposed revisions to how Montana allocates funds from the tobacco settlement agreement. The bill died in the legislative process after being tabled in the House Human Services Committee and missing deadline requirements for advancement.

Why is this important

Tobacco settlement allocations determine how hundreds of millions in state revenue from legal settlements with tobacco companies are distributed among public health programs, healthcare infrastructure, and other state priorities. Changes to these allocations directly impact funding availability for smoking cessation programs, Medicaid expansion, and other health initiatives.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue reallocation concerns: Redirecting tobacco settlement funds could reduce support for proven public health programs or shift resources between competing state priorities
  • Fiscal transparency: The fiscal note suggests significant budget implications that may have raised concerns about unaccounted costs or funding gaps
  • Stakeholder opposition: Health advocacy groups, healthcare providers, or budget hawks may have opposed specific reallocation proposals without more detail on the bill's contents

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

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