# Vermont’s Opioid Settlements

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

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><h4>Total Funds</h4></td><td align="center"><p><strong>$120.71 million</strong>[1]</p><hr><p>[1] Total is rounded. <em>See</em> <a href="https://www.opioidsettlementtracker.com/globalsettlementtracker">The Official Opioid Settlement Tracker Tally</a>. Accessed September 1, 2024.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><h4>Allocation</h4></td><td align="center"><p>70% to the Opioid Abatement Special Fund, 15% to local governments, and 15% to the state</p><p><br><img src="/files/gRFPwXQQu1MBQmLm2maX" alt=""></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><h4>Mechanism</h4></td><td align="center"><strong>Legislation</strong> (<a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/18/093">18 V.S.A. Secs. 4771 through 4774</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><h4>70% Opioid Abatement Special Fund</h4></td><td><h4>15% Local Share</h4></td><td><h4>15% State Share</h4></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Ultimate Decisionmaker</strong></em></td><td><a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/"><strong>Vermont state legislature</strong></a></td><td><strong>Local officials</strong> of counties, cities, and towns</td><td><strong>The “State”</strong> (not further specified)</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Decision-making Process</strong></em></td><td><strong>The Vermont state legislature ultimately decides expenditures</strong> after consulting the recommendations of the <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/">Vermont Department of Health</a> (DOH) and its <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/public-meetings-comments/opioid-settlement-advisory-committee">Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee</a>.</td><td><strong>Localities decide autonomously</strong></td><td><strong>“State” decides</strong> (not further specified)</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Supplantation</strong></em></td><td><strong>Prohibited</strong></td><td><strong>Not prohibited</strong></td><td><strong>Not prohibited</strong></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Grant Funding</strong></em></td><td><strong>Yes.</strong> <em>See</em> DOH’s <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/grantees-contractors/requests-proposals-information-and-applications">Requests for Proposals, Information and Applications</a> page.</td><td><strong>Up to each locality</strong> (availability and processes will vary)</td><td><strong>No</strong></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Public Input</strong></em></td><td><strong>Yes</strong> (public comment required at Advisory Committee meetings)</td><td><strong>Generally, yes</strong> (public comments required at public meetings)</td><td><strong>No opportunities available</strong> (not required)</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Advisory Body</strong></em></td><td><p><strong>Yes</strong> (required). <em>See</em> the <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/public-meetings-comments/opioid-settlement-advisory-committee">Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee</a>.</p><p>The Advisory Committee is required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience.</p></td><td><strong>Up to each locality</strong> (not required)</td><td><strong>No</strong> (not required)</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Expenditures</strong></em></td><td><strong>Neither public nor intrastate reporting required</strong>, <em>but see</em> the Department of Health’s continuously updated activity <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/document/dsu-osac-status-report.pdf">Summary and Status Report</a>.</td><td><strong>Neither public nor intrastate reporting required</strong></td><td><strong>Neither public nor intrastate reporting required</strong></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Updates</strong></em></td><td>For updates on the Opioid Abatement Special Fund share, visit the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/public-meetings-comments/opioid-settlement-advisory-committee">website</a>, which links to the Department of Health’s <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/document/dsu-osac-2024-settlement-activities-status-report.pdf">Opioid Settlement Activity Status Report</a>.</td><td>To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county executive, city council, or local health department.</td><td>A single resource containing updates specific to the state’s 15% share updates could not be found. <em>See</em> the AG’s general <a href="https://ago.vermont.gov/divisions/consumer-protection/consumer-resources/health-and-product-safety/opioid-settlements">Opioid Settlements</a> page.</td></tr></tbody></table>


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