AR SB39

Appropriates $2,401,024 to the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission for fiscal year 2015-2016, including $95,017 for regular salaries and $31,432 for personal services matching.

Authorizes two maximum positions: Tobacco Settlement Commission Director (Grade C124) and Administrative Specialist III (Grade C112).

Allocates $1,187,000 for tobacco settlement grants and $1,000,000 for professional fees to hire an independent third party for monitoring and evaluation services.

Requires the Commission to file quarterly progress reports to the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committees and mandates a biennial evaluation report to the General Assembly and Governor by August 1 of each regular session year.

Prohibits state funds from replacing tobacco settlement funds when settlement funds expire, and requires disclosure of this limitation to all positions funded by tobacco settlement proceeds.