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

• 50% state share: (within parameters established by the )

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

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 June 2, 2026.

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

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) ,[3] which includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and other strategies.

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 (OAC) providing non-binding recommendations.[5] In practice, Recovery Fund expenditures are determined by a complicated network of “,” including Michigan’s state legislature, the governor’s office, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the OAC, and the , among others.[6]

Has the state established an advisory body for settlement funds?

Yes.

• The Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission (OAC) was created by state law in 2022 as part of the Michigan Legislative Council.[1] The OAC is responsible for reviewing local, state, and federal initiatives, establishing priorities, and recommending expenditures from the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund­­—which holds the 50% state share—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]

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

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]

The (OAC) has 12 voting members with “experience in substance abuse prevention, health care, mental health, law enforcement, local government, first responder work, or similar fields”:[17]

• 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]

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]

Current OAC members are listed .

The has 22 members, half of whom represent various executive agencies (e.g., the directors or their designees of MDHHS, the Michigan State Police, the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, and the Department of Attorney General, etc.).[28] These members are ex officio and serve at the pleasure of the governor.[29] There are also 10 local government representatives appointed by the governor to represent each of Michigan’s ,[30] as well as a representative from the Michigan Supreme Court.[31] Local government representatives serve 4-year terms.[32]

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

Local government members of the Task Force’s can be found and the full membership is available in meeting minutes.[34]

No (up to each locality). Local governments in Michigan 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. For example, the Cass County Board of County Commissioners appointed an “to determine a plan for opioid settlement funds for the County.”[35]

The Opioid Advisory Commission’s annual reports from 2023-2026 can be found on its under the heading “Commission Documents.”

1. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Sec. 4.1851(1). See . ↑

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. ↑

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 occurred about every other monthin 2024-2025.[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 (under “Community Voices”).[4] Keep an eye out for future programming,[5] and subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing this address: .[6] You can also contact the OAC directly by emailing .

  • “Feedback or questions.” The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) has an , which instructs that stories, feedback, suggestions, and questions may be submitted to .”[8]

  The include dedicated public comment periods as well.[9] The task force is subject to the 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 requires public bodies to accept public comment at their meetings.[13] Each locality may choose to seek public input beyond this requirement. For example, Berrien County’s 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.

Yes. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. Visit its 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 (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.

• For updates on the state share, visit the OAC’s , the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) page, and the Michigan Opioids Task Force’s . You can also subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing and sign up for updates from MDHHS’ Opioid Task Force .

• For updates on the local share, visit the Michigan Association of Counties’ and the Michigan Attorney General’s website, which contains an 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., , , ).

Not applicable.

1. Bylaws, . Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission. Adopted 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”); and 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 . ↑

2. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(8) (“The Opioid Advisory Commission shall meet at least quarterly”). Opioid Advisory Commission (“”). Michigan Legislative Council website. Accessed June 9 2026. ↑

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 agreement.[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) Exhibit E,[4] which includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and other strategies.

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

Local governments may request guidance from the Michigan Department of Attorney General on the settlements or state-local agreement, including whether proposed expenditures qualify as opioid remediation. The Michigan Department of Attorney General may also issue such guidance on its own.[10] For example, in 2026, the Michigan Department of Attorney General released guidance for localities on uses of funds that it does not consider opioid remediation or abatement. As of June 2026, the list contained general categories such as “[a]ctivities or programs that are not indicated in Exhibit E or otherwise evidence-based or evidence-informed,” as well as specific types of expenditures, such as law enforcement equipment.[11]

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]

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.

Yes (no public reporting required, only intrastate). Localities are required to report expenditures to the state.[12] As of June 2026, the state’s Department of Attorney General hosts a of local government expenditures covering January 2023 through December 2025.

Visit OpioidSettlementTracker.com’s for the most up-to-date information on states’ and localities’ available expenditure reports.

In June 2024, the Michigan Association of Counties published the results of a survey that found that the “vast majority” of responding counties had 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] The Michigan Association of Counties also maintains a of resources to support county planning, spending, and transparency.

1. Michigan State-Subdivision Agreement for the Allocation of Opioid Settlement Agreements (“Michigan State-Subdivision Agreement”), Secs. (providing that monies will be deducted from the local government share for the Administrative Fund, Litigating Local Government Attorney Fee Fund, and Special Circumstance Fund), (defining the “Administrative Fund” as “0.3% of the Local Government Share”), (defining the “Litigating Local Government Attorney Fee Fund”), (defining the “Special Circumstance Fund” as “5% of the Local Government Share”), (attorney costs), (attorneys’ fees), (describing Special Circumstance Fund); But see Sec. (providing for reversion of set asides to the Local Government Share). ↑

2. Michigan State-Subdivision Agreement, Secs. (“50% … Local Government Share”), (“remainder … after offsets shall be distributed to Participating Local Governments”). Non-participating, non-county local governments’ shares are reallocated to their counties, and non-participating counties’ shares are reallocated to participating local governments. Michigan State-Subdivision Agreement, Secs. , (defining “Participating Local Governments”).For final allocation percentages across Michigan’s local governments for the various settlements, refer to