SB35

Senate Bill 35 is an appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, providing funding and position authorization for the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission within the Department of Health. The bill allocates $352,420 for personal services, operating expenses, and professional fees to monitor and evaluate program expenditures from the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund. It establishes a maximum of one full-time employee position and sets strict budgetary, transfer, and oversight requirements. The bill explicitly states that funding for these positions is contingent upon the availability of Tobacco Settlement funds and does not commit the state to ongoing financial obligations should those funds expire. Finally, it includes an emergency clause to ensure the commission has the necessary authority to operate beginning July 1, 2024.