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Committee advances $32 million tobacco settlement allocation (HB 5164) after fiscal debate
Summary
The committee voted to advance HB 5164, which increases the tobacco and health trust fund allocation to $32 million; public-health members urged full funding while some fiscal members expressed reservations about general fund impacts.
The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee voted to JF House Bill 5164, a measure increasing the tobacco and health trust fund allocation to $32 million.
Representative Claire DiStitria (speaker 16) said the committee has repeatedly asked to restore tobacco settlement fund money and that the state previously received lower or no annual allocations in some years. “Right now, we’re getting $12,000,000. I do think we should be increasing it,” she said, calling the funding important for smoking cessation and public-health programs.
Senator Fazio, speaking on the fiscal side, said he was hesitant about diverting large sums from the general fund and indicated he would flag a no vote on a very large diversion; however, he acknowledged support for increasing the settlement fund allocation to an intermediate figure. After discussion the committee recorded a roll-call vote; the transcript as read aloud reported 29 yes and 1 no, advancing the bill to the floor.
The measure now proceeds to the full chamber for further consideration.
