Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1555-B, sub-§9, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 305, §5, is amended to read:

9. Distribution of fines. Fines and forfeitures collected pursuant to subchapter I and this subchapter must be credited as follows: one half to the General Fund and 1/2 to be deposited in a nonlapsing account with the Administrative Office of the Courts to be paid to law enforcement agencies pursuant to section 1555- C.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1555-C is enacted to read:

§1555-C.__Tobacco Revenues Grants Committee

1.__Committee established.__The Tobacco Revenues Grants Committee, referred to in this section as the "committee," is established within the Department of the Attorney General.

A.__The committee shall administer the distribution of fines and forfeitures collected pursuant to subchapter I and this subchapter.

B.__The committee consists of one representative designated by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association; one representative designated by a statewide association of sheriffs; one representative designated by the Department of Public Safety; one representative designated by the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health; one representative designated by a statewide association promoting drug abuse resistence education; and the Attorney General, or a designated representative of the Attorney General, who shall act as chair.__Members of the committee serve without compensation.__Reasonable expenses for clerical and administrative expenses may be retained by the Department of the Attorney General from the proceeds of fines and forfeitures collected pursuant to subchapter I and this subchapter.

2.__Applications for funds.__Beginning January 2000 and semiannually thereafter, the committee shall solicit applications from local, county, and state law enforcement organizations for use of the available tobacco revenues to establish programs to reduce tobacco and drug use by youths.__At that time, the committee shall determine the total amount of funds available.__ The committee shall develop by rule criteria for the award of funds to eligible applicants.__The criteria must include, but are not limited to, consideration of:

A.__A likelihood of success in reducing the incidence of tobacco and drug use by Maine youth;