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Lawmakers hear broad opposition as sponsor seeks to reallocate Montana's tobacco settlement funds
Summary
Representative Ron Marshall's HB 494 would reallocate Master Settlement Agreement funds. Students, tribal representatives, public health officials and medical groups testified the proposal would sharply cut tobacco prevention funding and harm programs; DPHHS detailed statutory earmarks and projected dollar impacts, and the committee discussed pursuing a study/audit rather than advancing the bill immediately.
Representative Ron Marshall (House District 87) opened the hearing on House Bill 494 by reviewing the 1998 national tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and Montana's original allocation plan. Marshall said Montana initially received roughly $3.032 billion and described the voter-approved breakdown, including a 32% earmark for tobacco prevention under I-146 (2002). He argued falling MSA receipts tied to lower smoking rates create fiscal pressure and said HB 494 is intended to reexamine how those dollars are allocated.
Marshall summarized the proposed changes and presented an amendment during the hearing that he said "goes back to the original plan, 32%," but which reallocates that 32% among subprograms (he listed percentage splits for chronic disease, home visiting, hospital discharge, Montana Tobacco Use program, Department of Justice and Department of Revenue).
The bill drew heavy opposition. Multiple youth witnesses urged rejection: "I don't support this bill because I believe the money from the master settlement agreement is best spent on tobacco…
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