HB2524 - 491R - House Bill Summary

House of Representatives

HB 2524

drug and alcohol treatment district

Sponsor: Representative Chabin

X	Committee on Ways and Means
	Committee on Health and Human Services
	Caucus and COW
	House Engrossed

HB 2524 would create a statewide Drug and Alcohol Treatment District to provide drug and alcohol treatment programs through regional behavioral health authorities.

History

In fiscal year of 2008 a total of $64.6 million was collected from the liquor tax. Of this, $28.6 million went to the state General Fund, $24 million into the Corrections Fund, $8.6 million into the Drug Treatment and Education Fund, and $3.4 million into the Corrections Revolving Fund.

The Drug Treatment and Education Fund allows for offenders to participate in drug treatment and education programs that are approved of by the Department of Health Services.

This bill would seek to create a statewide Drug and Alcohol Treatment District that would impose a new $3.50 per gallon tax on all alcohol. This revenue would go to funding drug and alcohol treatment programs, diversion programs through drug and family courts, and law enforcement training programs to train officers how to interact with suspects who abuse drugs and alcohol. The current tax rate on liquor is as follows:

Spirituous liquor- $3.00 per gallon.

Vinous liquor with High Alcohol Content - $0.25 per 8 ounces.

Vinous liquor with Low Alcohol Content- $0.84 per gallon.

Malt liquor- $0.16 on each gallon.

According to the fiscal note prepared by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the Department of Revenue estimates that this new tax could generate $610 million in revenue.

Provisions

· Creates a statewide Drug and Alcohol Treatment District to fund drug and alcohol treatment programs, diversion programs through drug and family courts, and law enforcement training programs to train officers how to interact with suspects who abuse drugs and alcohol.

· The organization of the Board of Directors (BODs):

· Will consist of five members.

· Have a term limit of five years

· Be appointed by the Governor.

· Not more than two members from the same political party.

· May receive money if it is appropriated by the legislature and expenses can be reimbursed.

· Powers of the BODs include:

· Appoint officers that are necessary to conduct business.

· Keep records that are open to the public.

· May adopt a corporate seal for the district and the district can sue and be sued.

· Enter into contracts.

· Use revenues paid to the district to provide funding to the aforementioned programs.

· Allows the BODs to levy a $3.50 per gallon tax on all alcohol.

· Authorizes the District Treasurer to deposit money collected and be held accountable for all expenditures.

· Defines Board to mean the BODs.

· Defines Chairperson to mean chair of the BOD.

· Defines District to mean the Drug and Alcohol Treatment District.

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

Forty-ninth Legislature