Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

• 40% state share: Yes (required). The Idaho Behavioral Health Council (IBHC) was required by executive order to develop a statewide strategic plan that “[d]etermine[d] Idaho citizen’s unique needs via broad stakeholder input and known best practices.”[1] The IBHC opioid recommendation process invites “[m]embers of the public and Idaho state agencies … to submit proposals and make recommendations to the Idaho Behavioral Health Council,”[2] and the IBHC’s website also instructs members of the public to email the IBHC with any questions or concerns at [e-mail].

  • IBHC’s fiscal year 2026 recommendations process included a public input period held from April through May 2024,[3] an August deadline by which IBHC must vote on “priority recommendations” and submit its ultimate recommendations to the Governor, and legislative appropriations in spring 2025 for eventual inclusion into agencies’ budgets by July 2026.[4] Public proposals and recommendations for FY2025 and FY2026 are accessible here.

• 40% local share: Up to each locality (not required). Local governments are not required to seek public input on uses of their shares. However, each may choose to seek such input. Watch for opportunities to weigh in on city and county spending decisions, such as city council meetings and town halls.

• 20% health districts share: Up to each health district (not required). Though the state’s seven health districts are not required to seek public input on uses of their opioid settlements specifically, Idaho’s Open Meeting Law requires district boards of health to hold its meetings publicly.[5] While this state law does not explicitly require the district health boards to accept public comments,[6] they may independently choose to do so.[7]

Can I apply for grants?

It depends. As of September 1, 2024, Idaho has not established any settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. Local governments and health districts may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the Opioid Settlement Community Grants Portals (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.

Where do I go for updates?

• State share: For updates on the Idaho Behavioral Health Council, visit its website and bookmark the IBHC Meetings page, which includes meeting materials for the IBHC and its workgroups. See also the Idaho Attorney General’s Opioid Settlement page.

• Local share: To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county board of commissioners, city council, or local health department.

• Health districts share: To find updates on the health districts share, a good starting point is to check the websites for public health districts’ opioid settlement websites (e.g., District 1: Panhandle Health District and District 7: Eastern Idaho Public Health).

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

1. Idaho Executive Order No. 2020-04 “Creating the Idaho Behavioral Health Council”, Sec. 2(c) (February 19, 2020). ↑

2. IBHC does not, however, appear to offer regular public comment periods at its meetings. (The agendas for those held in January, April, June, and July 2024 did not expressly include a public comment period.) ↑

3. Idaho Opioid Settlement Fund (see “Fiscal Year 2026 Opioid Recommendation Process”). Idaho Behavioral Health Council (IBHC) website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“April 15 – May 15, 2024”: “IBHC solicits agency proposals and public input”). ↑

4. Idaho Opioid Settlement Fund (see “Fiscal Year 2026 Opioid Recommendation Process”). Idaho Behavioral Health Council (IBHC) website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑

5. Idaho Code Secs. 74-202(4)(b) (defining “public agency” to mean “[a]ny regional board, commission, department or authority created by or pursuant to statute”), 39-408 (establishing seven public health districts by statute), 74-203(1) (“all meetings of a governing body of a public agency shall be open to the public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting except as otherwise provided by this act. No decision at a meeting of a governing body of a public agency shall be made by secret ballot”). ↑

6. Idaho Open Meeting Law Manual (see “Question No. 19”). Idaho Office of the Attorney General. January 2023 (“Does the Open Meeting Law require the governing body of a public agency to accept public comments and testimony during meetings? Answer: No. While other statutes, such as the Local Planning Act, may require the solicitation of public comments, the Open Meeting Law does not expressly require the opportunity for public comment”). ↑

7. But see Board of Health – Meeting Agenda and Minute. Public Health Idaho North Central District website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“No verbal public comments or questions will be accepted during the meeting”). ↑