HB 1144 Summary

• Increases cigarette tax by $0.04 per pack for calendar years 2013-2020, with revenue directed to prekindergarten pilot program fund.

• Permits charter schools to participate in the prekindergarten pilot program, removing the previous exclusion that limited participation to school corporations and accredited entities.

• Requires the Department of Education to begin making grants to eligible providers in the 2013-2014 school year and extends program expiration from July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2021.

• Establishes the prekindergarten pilot program fund with revenue sources including cigarette tax deposits, gifts, appropriations, and grants, with funds reverting to state general fund only after June 30, 2021.

• Adjusts cigarette tax allocation percentages to various state funds to accommodate the new prekindergarten program funding (2.79%-5.58% depending on the fiscal period).