House Bill NO. 519

By Senator(s) Simmons

SECTION 6. Any expenditures of tobacco settlement funds by the Legislature from the Health Care Expendable Fund shall not be used to supplant any state general funds which are currently appropriated for the support and maintenance of health-related programs or issues. In each subsequent fiscal year, no less than a percentage equal to the percentage of the state's general funds which was appropriated for the preceding fiscal year to the State Department of Health, the Division of Medicaid, the State Department of Mental Health, the University Medical Center, or any other health-related state agency, shall be appropriated for such purpose, unless there is an across-the-board reduction in general fund appropriations to all state agencies, or an elimination of health programs by the Legislature.