Advisory Bodies

Has the state established an advisory body for settlement funds?

Yes.

• The Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds was established by joint legislative resolution (2023 AL HJR 204) in 2023. The Commission is responsible for developing “a statewide plan for the investment and use of opioid settlement funds” and reviewing settlement fund expenditures.[1]

• The Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council was established by Executive Order 708 in 2017. This body was responsible for developing and submitting a "strategic action plan” on combating the state’s overdose crisis to the governor, which they may periodically update as necessary.[2] The Council is also responsible for annually reporting “a detailed evaluation of … initiatives undertaken to combat Alabama’s opioid-use epidemic.”[3] While some prior reports of the Council have made detailed recommendations around the use of opioid settlement funds, this body has a broader focus than strictly opioid settlement funds.[4]

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

It depends. Alabama House Joint Resolution 204 does not require the Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds to include a member with lived and/or living experience. However, the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council is required to include two individuals “in recovery from opioid addiction” appointed by the Recovery Organization of Support Specialists.[5] It must also include two family members of “people who are or have been addicted to opioids” appointed by the Council on Substance Abuse – NCADD.[6]

What is the overall membership of the state advisory body?

The Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Fund has 16 members and is intended to “be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state.”[7] Members include:

• Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health or their designee

• Direction of the Board of Pardons and Paroles or their designee

• The State Health Officer or their designee

• The Director of Finance or their designee

• Three experts in “programs and services for opioid treatment and abatement,” appointed by the Attorney General, the Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor, respectively[8]

• An expert in programs and services for opioid treatment and abatement for veterans, appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs

• Six members of the state legislature, including legislative leadership and their legislator-appointees[9]

The Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council has over 50 members with a wide range of focus areas and expertise.[10] Numerous state agencies are represented on the Council, as well as legislators and professional associations such as the Alabama Pharmacy Association and the Alabama District Attorneys’ Association.[11] The Governor may also add members “as deemed appropriate.”[12] Review the Council’s 2023 membership in its 2023 Annual Report.

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?

No (up to each locality). Local governments in Alabama are not required to establish opioid settlement advisory bodies to inform spending of the 50% local share. However, localities may choose to establish advisory councils that include members with lived and/or living experience to help ensure that settlement spending reflects community priorities.

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

1. 2023 AL House Joint Resolution 204, Preamble. ↑
2. Alabama Exec. Or. No. 708, Secs. 2-3. ↑
3. Alabama Exec. Or. No. 708, Sec. 3. ↑
4. See, e.g., the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council’s 2023 Annual Report and 2022 Annual Report. ↑
5. Alabama Exec. Or. No. 708, Sec. 4(z). ↑
6. Alabama Exec. Or. No. 708, Sec. 4(aa). ↑
7. 2023 AL House Joint Resolution 204, Sec. (b). ↑
8. 2023 AL House Joint Resolution 204, Secs. (a)(5)-(7). ↑
9. The Speaker of the House of Representatives or their designee; the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or their designee; the Chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee or their designee; the Chair of the House Ways and Means-General Fund Committee or their designee; two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House; and two members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. 2023 AL House Joint Resolution 204, Secs. (a)(9)-(14). ↑
10. See Alabama Exec. Or. No. 708, Sec. 4(a)-(aa). ↑
11. Alabama Exec. Or. No. 708, Sec. 4. ↑
12. Alabama Exec. Or. No. 708, Sec. 4(bb). For example, the most current membership of the Council also includes representation from, e.g., March of Dimes, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. See Council’s 2023 Annual Report. ↑