HI SB2604

Removes the requirement for the director of health to convene a separate nine-member advisory group to plan prevention programs and recommend expenditures of tobacco settlement funds.

Transfers advisory group responsibilities to the existing tobacco prevention and control advisory board, which gains authority to establish criteria for and approve expenditures from the Hawaii tobacco prevention and control trust fund.

Restructures the tobacco prevention and control advisory board membership to include appointees from the legislature and removes automatic department employee participation, requiring board members be selected from lists submitted by legislative leaders and the governor.

Makes the advisory board's recommendations on trust fund administration "prescriptive," meaning the department must follow the board's decisions rather than merely considering them advisory.

Requires the trust fund entity to submit annual reports to the legislature and advisory board detailing funding sources, investment performance, and outcomes achieved from expenditures.