Summary:

 House Bill 75 (HB 75) makes an appropriation to the Department of Health for County and Tribal Health Councils statewide. 

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 75 (HB 75) makes the following appropriations from the General Fund to the Department of Health for expenditure in Fiscal Year 2026. Forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) is appropriated to fund and support county and tribal health councils statewide to carry out the functions as provided for in the County and Tribal Health Councils Act. 
Funding may be used to:

(a) provide salaries and benefits for staff positions; 
(b) expand county and tribal health council capacity to provide services; 
(c) expand county and tribal health council operations and functions; 
(d) assist in the coordination and navigation of essential services through key collaborations with state agencies, healthcare management organizations, and organizations that serve Medicaid and Medicare recipients; 
(e) increase community outreach and engagement programs to improve community awareness and understanding of county and tribal health council services; 
(f) increase public health intervention, prevention, and education efforts; 
(g) facilitate collaboration and networking with healthcare stakeholders across the state; 
(h) support policy and advocacy efforts aimed at advancing health equity and
(i) pay for the costs of running county and tribal health councils, including overhead expenses for offices and health hub locations, travel reimbursements, supplies, and other indirect expenses.

An additional one million dollars ($1,000,000) is allocated for the Department of Health to contract with a nonprofit organization to provide training, technical assistance, and other support to county and tribal health councils. 

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 is to revert to the General Fund.
 

Current Law:

 No such specific appropriation exists for these purposes at this time.