Advisory Bodies

The Hawai'i State Department of Health launched its Opioid Settlement Project website following publication of this guide.

Has the state established an advisory body for settlement funds?

Yes. The Hawai‛i Settlement MOA established an Hawai‛i Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (HOSAC) to consultat with the state on uses of its 85% share.[1] Other than providing that the HOSAC may “seek guidance from experts in addiction, pain management, opioid remediation, and public health,”[2] the MOA provides no detail on the HOSAC’s role or operations.

• Testimony regarding legislation proposed in 2024 has offered slightly more information on HOSAC’s activities, revealing that it has the power to establish its own meetings procedures and hire staff, and that it has both “[r]esearched best practices to distribute the funds in a community driven[,] transparen[t] manner” and “[i]dentified over $13 million in planned spending on county and state-wide projects” since its formation.[3]

• According to its recent meetings materials, HOSAC meets virtually every month.[4]

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

No. The HOSAC is not required to include a member with lived and/or living experience.

What is the overall membership of the state advisory body?

The HOSAC’s membership is established by the Hawai‛i settlement MOA and includes the following eight representatives:[5]

• The mayors or their designees from the city and county of Honolulu and counties of Hawai'i, Kaua’i, and Maui (4 members total)

• Designee of the Director of the Department of Health

• Director of the Department of Public Safety or their designee

• Superintendent of the Department of Education or their designee

• President of the University of Hawai’i Medical School or their designee

Members are appointed to two-year terms.[6] A roster of HOSAC members may be found here.

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 Hawai‛i are not required to establish opioid settlement advisory bodies. However, localities may independently 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. Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of Hawai’i and Local Governments on Proceedings Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation (“Hawai’i State-Local Agreement”), Sec. B.2(a); Addendum to Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of Hawai’i and Local Governments on Proceedings Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation (“Addendum to Hawai’i State-Local Agreement”), Sec. B (providing that “[t]he MOA shall apply to Phase 2 National Settlements in all respects”). ↑
2. Hawai’i State-Local Agreement, Sec. B.2(a)(iii). ↑
3. Testimony COMMENTING on HB2806 HD1 RELATING TO OPIOID LITIGATION. Hawai’i State Department of Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. February 14, 2024. Note: 2024 HI House Bill 2806 did not pass. ↑
4. Hawai’i State Department of Health: Notice of Meeting (July 5, 2024) (“[O]n the second Monday of every month. The meeting start time is 1:30 p.m. If you or a representative(s) of your organization would like to attend a HOSAC meeting, please email [e-mail] for an internet link”). ↑
5. Hawai’i State-Local Agreement, Sec. B.2(a)(i). ↑
6. Hawai’i State-Local Agreement, Sec. B.2(a)(ii). ↑