1. (a) Grant authorization. Section 17(i) of the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act states: “If the deposits into the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission Fund exceed the amount necessary to pay the costs and expenses described in subsection (h) of this section, then the commission is authorized to make grants as follows:

   1. (1) Those organizations eligible to receive grants are nonprofit and community-based.

   2. (2) Grant criteria shall be established based upon the following principles:

      1. (A) All funds should be used to improve and optimize the health of Arkansans;
      2. (B) Funds should be spent on long-term projects that improve the health of Arkansans;
      3. (C) Future tobacco-related illness and healthcare costs in Arkansas should be minimized through this opportunity; and
      4. (D) Funds should be invested in solutions that work effectively and efficiently in Arkansas; and
   3. (3) Grant awards shall be restricted in amounts up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year for each eligible organization.”

2. (b) Grant policy and procedures.

   1. (1) Following Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission staff review for eligibility and compliance with application requirements, an external independent review committee will evaluate applications using a grading system adopted by the Executive Committee.
   2. (2) Grants will be reviewed on a competitive basis, with the independent reviewers using scoring priorities provided to them by the Executive Committee.
   3. (3) All applications will be reviewed and rated quantitatively and qualitatively.
   4. (4) Funding recommendations will be presented to the commission by the Executive Committee.
   5. (5) Final funding decisions will be made by the commission, under the authority granted to them within Arkansas Code § 19-12-117(i) of the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act, Arkansas Code § 19-12-101 et seq.

Codification Notes: Section 17 of the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act is codified as Arkansas Code § 19-12-117.