Here are the entities that ultimately decide how each of Michigan’s opioid settlement shares are spent:

• 50% state share: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (within parameters established by the Michigan state legislature)

• 50% local share: decisionmakers for counties, cities, and townships

Where do these monies live?

The Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund (“Recovery Fund”) holds the state’s 50% share of opioid settlement funds.[1]

What can this share be spent on?

With limited exceptions,[2] monies in the Recovery Fund must be spent on the opioid remediation uses described in the national settlement agreement’s (non-exhaustive) Exhibit E,[3] which includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and other strategies.

Who ultimately decides how to spend this share (and how)?

Opioid Advisory Commission recommends, state legislature appropriates, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services decides (within parameters established by the Michigan state legislature). The Michigan state legislature ultimately appropriates monies from the Recovery Fund,[4] with the Opioid Advisory Commission (OAC) providing non-binding recommendations.[5] In practice, Recovery Fund expenditures are determined by a complicated network of “key agencies,” including Michigan’s state legislature, the governor’s office, the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the OAC, and the Opioids Task Force, among others.[6]

• MDHHS has previously described a decision-making process in which it drafted a spend plan, sought and incorporated community and partner feedback, and reached internal consensus on which subset of Exhibit E interventions to prioritize,[7] with the legislature ultimately appropriating funds after consulting the recommendations of the Opioid Advisory Commission.[8]

• In past years, the legislature appropriated significant sums from the Recovery Fund to state departments, primarily MDHHS, and largely deferred to those departments on how to spend the funds.[9] The most recent FY2025 budget, however, includes both funding over which MDHHS maintains significant discretion and more targeted expenditures with varying levels of specificity from the state legislature.[10]

Please note: The OAC is different from the Michigan Opioids Task Force. The OAC was established via legislation, exists within the Michigan Legislative Council, and primarily advises the state legislature.[11] In contrast, the Michigan Opioids Task Force was established by executive order, operates as an advisory body within MDHHS, and primarily advises state departments.[12]

Are supplantation uses prohibited for this share?

Yes, supplantation is prohibited. The Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund, which holds the 50% state share, is explicitly required by state law to “be used to create or supplement programs or services” and explicitly prohibited from being “used to replace any other governmental funds that would otherwise have been appropriated or expended for any other program or service.”[13]

Can I see how this share has been spent?

Yes (no public reporting required, only intrastate). Visit Michigan’s Settlement Spending page, which includes a summary of initiatives funded with state settlement monies and annual reports. Annual financial reports are organized according to the subsets of Exhibit E categories prioritized by MDDHS each year (e.g., primary prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery support).[14]

Visit OpioidSettlementTracker.com’s Expenditure Report Tracker for an updated collection of states’ and localities’ available expenditure reports.

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

1. Michigan State-Subdivision Agreement for Allocation of Distributor Settlement Agreement and Janssen Settlement Agreement (“Michigan Distributor and Janssen State-Subdivision Agreement”), Sec. II.3; Michigan State-Subdivision Agreement for Allocation of Allergan, Teva, CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens Settlement Agreements (“Michigan Subsequent Settlement State-Subdivision Agreement”), Sec. II.3; Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 12.253(1)-(2). See also 2023 Annual Report: A Planning Guide for State Policy Makers. Michigan Opioid Advisory Committee. Accessed August 19, 2024 (noting that the State Share includes 100% of proceeds from the McKinsey settlement). ↑

2. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 12.253(8) (authorizing use of monies from the Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund for opioid-litigation costs and attorney fees). ↑

3. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 12.253(6) (“the department of treasury shall expend money from the Michigan opioid healing and recovery fund, on appropriation, in a manner and for purposes consistent with the opioid judgment, settlement, or compromise of claims from which the money was received”); Michigan Distributor and Janssen State-Subdivision Agreement, Secs. I.P (“‘Opioid Remediation’ is the term as defined by the Settlements”), II.2 (“All Settlement Payments shall be utilized by Participating Local Governments and the State for Opioid Remediation, except as otherwise allowed by the Settlements. A minimum of 70% of Settlement Payments must be used solely for future Opioid Remediation”); Michigan Subsequent Settlement State-Subdivision Agreement, Secs. I.O, II.2 (same). Note that non-opioid remediation expenditures are capped under the national settlement agreements. See, e.g., the Distributor and Janssen settlements, Secs. V.B.1, V.B.2 (requiring states and subdivisions to spend a minimum 85% of funds on opioid remediation, which the settlements define to mean Exhibit E); CVS Settlement Agreement, Sec. V(B)(1) (minimum 95.5% opioid remediation spending); Walgreens Settlement Agreement, Sec. V(B)(1) (minimum 95% opioid remediation spending); Walmart Settlement Agreement, Sec. V(B)(1) (minimum 85% opioid remediation spending). See Distributor Settlement Agreement, Sec. I.SS (“Exhibit E provides a non-exhaustive list of expenditures that qualify as being paid for Opioid Remediation. Qualifying expenditures may include reasonable related administrative expenses”). See also Michigan’s Opioid Settlements Frequently Asked Questions. Resources for the Michigan Opioid Settlement. Accessed August 19, 2024 (“Exception: Specific to the Mallinckrodt settlement, Schedule A provides a list of allowable uses of funds”). ↑

4. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. 12.253(6). ↑

5. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. 4.1851(13)(c)(iv). See also 2023 MDHHS Opioid Annual Report. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed August 20, 2024 (“The OAC’s role is advisory”). ↑

6. OAC: 2023 Annual Report (“A Planning Guide for State Policy Makers”) (“final spending authority [resides] with legislative appropriation, attorneys general, the Department of Health, or the state agencies responsible for substance use services”). ↑

7. See, e.g., Opioid Strategy and Implementation of Opioid Settlements, slide 12 (“Opioid Settlements Spend Plan Development”). Natasha Bagdasarian and Jared Welehodsky, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Undated presentation. Accessed August 20, 2024. See also 2023 Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund Annual Financial Report. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. November 15, 2023. Accessed August 20, 2024; 2024 Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund Annual Financial Report. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. March 31, 2023. Accessed August 20, 2024; Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian and Amy Epkey. Fiscal Year 2025 Opioid Settlement Budget. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. February 28, 2024. Accessed August 20, 2024. ↑

8. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(13)(a)-(c); Opioid Advisory Commission. Michigan Legislative Council. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“The commission makes an annual report to the Governor, the Attorney General, the Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House, and the chairs of the Senate and House appropriation committees”). ↑

9. See, e.g., 2022 Mich. Pub. Acts 166, Sec. 917(1) (appropriating $23.2 million to MDHHS from the Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund “to create or supplement opioid-related programs and services in a manner consistent with the opioid judgement, settlement, or compromise of claims pertaining to violations, or alleged violations, of law related to the manufacture, marketing, distribution, dispensing, or sale of opioids”); 2023 Mich. Pub. Acts 119, Sec. 917(1) (same). See also, e.g., Michigan’s Opioids Settlement – MDHHS FY23 Spend Plan Programming Planning Overview. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Undated document. Accessed August 20, 2024 (“In July 2022, the Michigan Legislature approved the Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund (settlement funds) appropriation of the FY 22 supplemental request ($16 million) and FY 23 authorization ($23.2 million) to MDHHS without restrictions”). ↑

10. See 2024 Mich. Pub. Acts 121, Secs. 917(1) (appropriating approximately $19.2 million for MDHHS “to create or supplement opioid-related programs and services in a manner consistent with the opioid judgment, settlement, or compromise of claims pertaining to violations, or alleged violations, of law related to the manufacture, marketing, distribution, dispensing, or sale of opioids”), 917(2) (requiring MDHHS to allocate $4 million “to establish a peer recovery support services program for eligible participants”), 1930(a)-(d) (requiring MDHHS to allocate grants ranging from $2 to $3.62 million to organizations meeting very specific criteria such as “a nonprofit organization that is organized under the laws of this state, that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986, 26 USC 501, and is located in a city with a population greater than 10,000 that is located in a county with a population between 36,500 and 36,850, according to the most recent federal decennial census, to expand a women’s recovery center that provides residential substance use disorder services, behavioral and physical health care, social services, and housing assistance”), 1930(e) (requiring MDHHS to provide $1.88 million “to supplement grants to recovery community organizations”), 1930(f) (requiring MDHHS to provide $2 million for “tribal communities, with the distribution method and types of uses of these funds determined in collaboration with the United Tribes of Michigan and each sovereign nation”), 1930(g) (requiring MDDHS to provide $10 million “to department-designated community mental health entities for regional specific programming and supports to be used in collaboration with municipal opioid settlement funds”). ↑

11. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(1), (13)(b). Note, however, that the OAC’s annual report is submitted to both the legislature and state executive branch. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(13)(c) (“By March 30 of each year, provide a written report to the governor, the attorney general, the senate majority leader, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the chairs of the senate and house of representatives appropriations committees”). ↑

12. Michigan Executive Order 2022-12, Secs. 1(a), 2(b); 2023 MDHHS Opioid Annual Report. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed August 20, 2024 (“The OAC is a legislative commission, whereas the Executive branch called for the formation of the Michigan Opioids Task Force. The OAC is tasked to review initiatives/activities related to SUD services and establish priorities to address SUD/co-occurring conditions for purpose of recommending funding initiatives to the legislature. The Michigan Opioids Task Force is charged with identifying root causes of the opioid epidemic and implementing response actions. The OAC reports to the Legislative Council Administrator and overall purpose is to advise the legislature, whereas the Michigan Opioids Task Force reports to MDHHS. The OAC’s role is advisory. The Michigan Opioids Task Force will be required to report to the Governor regularly and will be expected to issue an annual report”). ↑

13. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 12-253(7). ↑

14. See, e.g., 2023 Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund Annual Financial Report. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. November 15, 2023. Accessed August 20, 2024; 2024 Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund Annual Financial Report. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. March 31, 2023. Accessed August 20, 2024; Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian and Amy Epkey. Fiscal Year 2025 Opioid Settlement Budget. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. February 28, 2024. Accessed August 20, 2024. ↑

Michigan Attorney General

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

• and

Michigan Legislative Council

• and

Michigan Association of Counties (MAC)

Has the state established an advisory body for settlement funds?

Yes.

• The Michigan (OAC) was created by state law in 2022 as part of the .[1] The OAC is responsible for reviewing local, state, and federal initiatives, establishing priorities, and recommending Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund expenditures to the legislature.[2] The OAC must annually submit a report to the Governor, state Attorney General, and legislative leadership that includes:

  • A statewide, evidence-based needs assessment[3]

  • Goals and recommendations, sustainability plans, and performance indicators regarding prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts and reducing disparities in access to these services[4]

  • Evidence-based assessment of prior uses of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund monies[5]

  • Recommended funding for “tasks, activities, projects, and initiatives that would support the objectives of the [OAC]”[6]

  • As applicable, “recommended additional legislation needed to accomplish the objectives of the [OAC]”[7]

  The OAC must comply with the Michigan and ,[8] and actions of the OAC require a majority vote. [9] OAC meetings must take place at least quarterly but in practice have occurred more frequently. Details on past and upcoming meetings can be found .

• The was initially established by in 2019 as an advisory body to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).[10] Its charge is to provide recommendations to MDHHS and other departments,[11] coordinate activities across agencies,[12] and to “research, identify, recommend, and implement response actions to the opioid epidemic in Michigan.”[13] A in 2022 specified that the Task Force is to act as the government participation mechanism for the purpose of any opioid-related bankruptcy or settlement.[14]

  • Within the Task Force’s broad mandate, it may undertake various activities, such as assessing the effectiveness of the state’s response to the opioid crisis, developing strategies targeted as “impacted areas,” performing stakeholder outreach, and recommending changes in state law.[15]

Is the state advisory body required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience?

No. The Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission is not required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience. But see the .

The is not required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience, although “membership by individuals with direct lived experience in substance use and related services is a priority.”[16]

What is the overall membership of the state advisory body?

Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission

• Four (4) members appointed by the Michigan Senate majority leader[18]

• Four (4) members appointed by the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives[19]

• One (1) member appointed by the Michigan Senate minority leader[20]

• One (1) member appointed by the minority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives[21]

• One (1) member jointly appointed by the Michigan Senate majority leader and the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives from a list of three (3) people provided by the Governor[22]

• One (1) member jointly appointed by the Michigan Senate majority leader and the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives from a list of three (3) people provided by the Attorney General[23]

Appointments must be made to ensure that the OAC’s members reflect the geographic diversity of the state “to the extent possible.” [24] The Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Legislative Council’s administrator (or their designees) serve as a non-voting, ex officio members.[25]

Terms: Initially appointed voting members serve(d) staggered terms of one to three years, after which the standard term is 3 years (or until a successor is appointed, “whichever is later”).[26] State legislative leaders may agree to remove an OAC member “for incompetence, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or any other good cause.”[27]

Michigan Opioids Task Force

As a whole, the Task Force “should possess experience, expertise, and education” in more of more of the following areas: public health, substance use, or health equity.[33]

Are local governments required to establish a settlement advisory body? If so, are local advisory bodies required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience?

What else should I know?

Citations

2. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(13)(b). ↑

3. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(13)(c)(i)(A)-(D). This assessment must: summarize current local, state, and federal funding steams; discuss how to prevent overdose, address disparities in healthcare access, and prevent youth substance use; analyze the effects of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions based on quantitative and qualitative data; and describe the most common risk factors associated with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Id. ↑

4. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(13)(c)(ii)(A)-(B). ↑

5. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(13)(c)(iii). ↑

6. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(13)(c)(iv). ↑

7. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(13)(c)(v). ↑

8. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(10)-(11). ↑

9. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(9) (“Seven voting members of the opioid advisory commission constitute a quorum for transacting business”). ↑

10. Michigan Executive Order 2019-18(1)(1) (rescinded by Michigan Executive Order 2022-12). ↑

12. Id. ↑

17. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(2)(a). ↑

18. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(2)(a)(i). ↑

19. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(2)(a)(ii). ↑

20. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(2)(a)(iii). ↑

21. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(2)(a)(iv). ↑

22. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(2)(a)(v). ↑

23. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(2)(a)(vi). ↑

24. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(3). ↑

25. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(2)(b)-(c). ↑

26. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(5). The Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House of Representatives decided the initial terms. Of the first 12 voting members appointed, four were appointed to 1-year terms, four were appointed to 2-year terms, and four were appointed to 2-year terms. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(5). ↑

27. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(7). ↑

Where do these monies live?

Excepting several set-asides,[1] this share is distributed directly to Michigan’s counties, municipalities, and townships according to the allocations in Michigan’s state-subdivision agreements.[2]

What can this share be spent on?

With limited exceptions,[3] local governments must spend their collective 50% share on the opioid remediation uses described in the national settlement agreement’s (non-exhaustive) ,[4] which includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and other strategies.

Michigan’s state-local agreements reiterate the national settlement agreements’ requirement that at least 70% of funds be spent on prospective abatement purposes but do not assign this responsibility to a specific share.[5]

Who ultimately decides how to spend this share (and how)?

Localities decide autonomously. Decisionmakers for the counties, municipalities, and townships will ultimately decide for themselves how to spend their monies on Exhibit E uses.[6] Examples of certain counties’ plans and uses of settlements funds may be found .[7]

MDHHS provides local decisionmakers with technical support through its Technical Assistance Collaborative, a coalition of academic institutions that educate and individually assist local governments on best practices.[8]

Are supplantation uses prohibited for this share?

No, supplantation is not prohibited. Michigan does not explicitly prohibit supplantation uses of opioid settlement funds from its 50% local share. This means that counties, cities, and townships may spend their monies from this share in ways that replace (or “supplant”) — rather than supplement — existing resources.

Can I see how this share has been spent?

Up to each locality (neither public nor intrastate reporting required). Opioid settlement expenditures are not officially published in a centralized location for this share.

Visit OpioidSettlementTracker.com’s for an updated collection of states’ and localities’ available expenditure reports.

What else should I know?

In June 2024, the Michigan Association of Counties published the results of a survey that found that the “vast majority” of responding counties have created separate funds to hold their opioid settlement monies apart from other sources of funds and are not combining funds with other local governments.[9]

Citations

3. See prior section for footnotes on the Administrative Fund, Special Circumstance Fund, and attorneys’ fees. ↑

This Community Guide will describe how Michigan is spending its opioid settlements and whether Michigan is working to ensure community access to opioid settlement funds. Last revised September 1, 2024.

Can I provide input on spending?

• 50% state share: Yes (required). Pursuant to the Michigan Open Meetings Act and according to its bylaws, the Opioid Advisory Commission (OAC) is required to include the opportunity for public comment in its meetings,[1] which must take place at least quarterly but in practice have occurred about every other month.[2]

  • Community Impact Survey. The OAC has also issued a survey intended to “include community voices — especially individuals and families who have been directly impacted — in conversations around planning and use of state opioid settlement funds.”[3]

  • Virtual listening sessions and regional events. The OAC links to past virtual listening sessions and regional events on its website (under “Community Voices”).[4] Keep an eye out for future programming,[5] and subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing this address: opioid-advisory-comm-join@listserver.legislature.mi.gov.[6]

  • Community Engagement and Planning Collaborative (CEPC). The OAC has also convened an advisory group to support and advise on “key priority areas related to community engagement and health equity.”[7]

  • “Feedback or questions.” The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) has an opioid settlements website, and has stated that “[f]eedback or questions regarding the opioid settlements and investments or the MDHHS opioids settlements website may be directed to MDHHS-OpioidSettlementHelp@michigan.gov.”[8]

  The Michigan Opioids Task Force's meetings include dedicated public comment periods as well.[9] The Task force is subject to the Michigan Open Meetings Act and must hold at least four public meetings per year.[10] It is also required to “promote stakeholder participation,”[11] and its activities may include engaging in “outreach to ensure all stakeholders in impacted areas are informed, educated, and empowered.”[12]

• 50% local share: Generally, yes. Though local governments are not required to seek public input as to opioid settlement spending specifically, Michigan’s Open Meetings Act requires public bodies to accept public comment at their meetings.[13] Each locality may choose to seek public input beyond this requirement. For example, the Board of Commissioners in Kalamazoo County established an Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force by resolution, which meets regularly and receives feedback from members of the public.[14] Berrien County’s Opioid Settlement Taskforce similarly provides that its “[c]ommunity members are encouraged to reach out with questions, concerns or feedback regarding opioid settlements or the Opioid Settlement Taskforce.”[15] Watch for other opportunities to weigh in on city and county spending decisions, such as city council meetings and town halls.

Can I apply for grants?

Yes. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. Visit their Settlement Spending page to view current funding opportunities. Local governments also 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?

• For updates on the state share, visit the OAC’s website, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) Opioid Settlements page, and the Michigan Opioid Task Force’s page. You can also subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing opioid-advisory-comm-join@listserver.legislature.mi.gov and sign up for updates from MDHHS’ Opioid Task Force here.

• For updates on the local share, visit the Michigan Association of Counties’ Opioid Settlement Resource Center Dashboard, which describes counties’ funded plans and strategies, and the Michigan Attorney General’s Opioids website, which contains an Opioid Settlement Funds Implementation in Action section describing certain localities’ uses of funds.[16] Another way to find updates on the local share is to check the websites for your county commission, city council, or local health department (e.g., Berrien County, Cass County, Calhoun County, Kalamazoo County).

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

1. Bylaws, Art. VIII. Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission. August 31, 2022 (“Pursuant to Michigan’s Open Meetings Act, individuals may express their opinions on Commission matters. … For a Commission agenda item, the Commission will ask if any member of the public wishes to make a comment before the Commission. … Comments shall pertain to a topic or topics which might normally come before the Commission”). See also Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(10) ("The opioid advisory commission shall conduct its business in compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275”); 15.263(5) (“A person must be permitted to address a meeting of a public body under rules established and recorded by the public body”). For background on the requirements of the Michigan Open Meeting Act, consult this resource. ↑

2. Opioid Advisory Commission (“Meeting Minutes”). Michigan Legislative Council website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑

3. Community Voices. Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission. Accessed September 1, 2024. The survey received over 1,000 responses. See Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian and Amy Epkey. Fiscal Year 2025 Opioid Settlement Budget, Slide 8 (“Community Engagement Efforts”). Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. February 28, 2024. ↑

4. Opioid Advisory Commission (“Community Voices”). Michigan Legislative Council website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑

5. For example, in February 2024, MDHHS noted that “[m]any more opportunities [are] soon to be announced, including listening session series.” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian and Amy Epkey. Fiscal Year 2025 Opioid Settlement Budget, Slide 8 (“Community Engagement Efforts”). Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. February 28, 2024. ↑

6. No subject line or additional content is necessary. ↑

7. As of September 1, 2024, members are listed as “coming soon.” Opioid Advisory Commission (“Community Voices”). Michigan Legislative Council website. Accessed September 1, 2024. See also Community Engagement & Planning Collaborative Charter. Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission. October, 12 2023. ↑

8. State of Michigan is a leader in addressing opioid addiction. Michigan Department of Health & Human Services press release. October 26, 2023 (“The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched an opioid settlements website as part of its continued effort to provide up-to-date information about how opioid settlements funds are being invested to support programs and resources that benefit Michiganders, local communities and stakeholders”). ↑

9. See, e.g., March 13, 2024 Approved Minutes. Michigan Opioids Task Force. Accessed September 1, 2024. See also 2023 MDHHS Opioid Annual Report. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“The OAC is a legislative commission, whereas the Executive branch called for the formation of the Michigan Opioids Task Force. The OAC is tasked to review initiatives/activities related to SUD services and establish priorities to address SUD/co-occurring conditions for purpose of recommending funding initiatives to the legislature. The Michigan Opioids Task Force is charged with identifying root causes of the opioid epidemic and implementing response actions. The OAC reports to the Legislative Council Administrator and overall purpose is to advise the legislature, whereas the Michigan Opioids Task Force reports to MDHHS. The OAC’s role is advisory. The Michigan Opioids Task Force will be required to report to the Governor regularly and will be expected to issue an annual report”). ↑

10. Michigan Executive Order 2022-12, Sec. 3(a). ↑

11. Michigan Executive Order 2022-12, Sec. 3(d). ↑

12. Michigan Executive Order 2022-12, Sec. 2(c)(6). ↑

13. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 15.263(5) ("A person must be permitted to address a meeting of a public body under rules established and recorded by the public body"). For background on the requirements of the Michigan Open Meeting Act, consult this resource (see, e.g., "under Michigan’s OMA, public bodies must provide time during the public meeting to permit the members of the public in attendance an opportunity to address the public body"). ↑

14. Resolution Establishing the Kalamazoo County Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force. Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. October 3, 2023; Opioid Settlements (“Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force”). Kalamazoo County Government website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“The 17-member Task Force meets the first Wednesday of every month from 11:30-12:30 in the Board Chambers and available virtually”). See, e.g., Notice and Agenda for Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force August 7, 2024 Meeting. Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners (“Public Comment” as agenda item #4); Notice and Agenda for Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force September 4, 2024 Meeting. Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners (same). ↑

15. Berrien County Opioid Settlement Taskforce. Berrien County website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑

16. As of June 2024, this section of the Michigan Attorney General’s Opioids website hosted information about certain counties’ plans for and uses of settlement funds, i.e., Monroe County Opioid Analytics Dashboard, Berrien County: Opioid Settlement Taskforce, Calhoun County: Use of Opioid Settlement Funds, Eaton County: Strategic Plan, Kalamazoo County: Allocation of Settlement Funds, Lenawee County: Opioid Action Plan, Monroe County: Opioid Analytics Dashboard, and Montcalm County: Public Services. ↑