HB217 Summary

• Appropriates $39,531,128 from the Children First Trust Fund for fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, to eleven agencies including Department of Human Resources ($10,295,965), Department of Youth Services ($8,107,318), and State Multiple Needs Children's Fund ($4,358,550).

• Requires tobacco settlement revenues to be deposited to the Children First Trust Fund within 30 days of receipt, with the State Director of Finance notifying agencies by September 1, 2024, of their anticipated allocations.

• Mandates quarterly allocation to agencies of at least one-fourth of annual appropriated amounts when tobacco revenues are available, with allocations made available within five working days of quarter commencement.

• Transfers Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education to the State General Fund during fiscal year 2025.

• Appropriates an additional $49,596,888 from other tobacco settlement funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, with any additional tobacco revenues conditionally appropriated upon recommendation of the Director of Finance and legislative committee chairs, plus Governor approval.