Minnesota’s Opioid Settlements

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

Total Funds

$563.17 million[1]


[1] Total is rounded. See The Official Opioid Settlement Tracker Tally. Accessed September 1, 2024.

Allocation

75% to local governments and 25% to the state

75% Local Share

25% State Share

Ultimate Decisionmaker

Local officials for cities and counties

Decision-making Process

Localities decide autonomously but must consult other localities in their county and report spending to the state.

Funds are initially spent on set-asides established by the Minnesota state legislature.

Remaining funds are distributed via grants by the Minnesota Department of Human Services at the direction of the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC).

Supplantation

Not prohibited

Partially prohibited (for Tribal social service agency initiative projects only)

Grant Funding

Up to each locality (availability and processes will vary)

Yes. For live opportunities, see Opioid Settlement Tracker’s Community Grant Tracker.

Public Input

Up to each locality (not required)

Yes (not required, but meetings of the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council often include the opportunity for public comment)

Advisory Body

Up to each locality (not required)

Yes (required). See the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC).

OERAC is required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience.

Expenditures

Public reporting required. See the Opioid Epidemic Response Spending Dashboard (select “Settlement Funds (City/County) only” in the drop-down menu).

No public reporting required (only intrastate), but see the annual “Grantee List” reports published on the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council's website.

See also the Opioid Epidemic Response Spending Dashboard (select the checkboxes with “OERAC directed” in the Funding Source menu).

Updates

For updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the website for your county commission, city council, or local health department. See also individual localities’ opioid settlement-specific websites, e.g., Beltrami County, Cass County, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Otter Tail County, Polk County, St. Louis County, and Wright County.

See also the Association of Minnesota Counties’ Opioid Settlement Resources & Information and the League of Minnesota Cities’ Opioid Epidemic Information and Resources pages.

For updates on the state share, visit the OERAC’s website and subscribe to updates from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

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