# Virginia’s Opioid Settlements

*This Community Guide will describe how Virginia is spending its opioid settlements and whether Virginia 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>$987.57 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>55% to the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority’s Opioid Abatement Fund, 30% to local governments, and 15% to the Commonwealth</p><p><br><img src="https://1165582093-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0AdIhub9LKJOFuPBqcDx%2Fuploads%2FUpg81pZ9l7WhWKybuBIx%2F_OpioidSettlement-DecisionMaking_Virginia.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ab97323d-8cda-4240-8d19-4f55743fc58b" alt=""></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><h4>Mechanism</h4></td><td align="center"><strong>State-Local Agreement</strong> (<a href="https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/VA-Opioid-Abatement-Fund-and-Settlement-Allocation-MOU1.pdf">Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund and Settlement Allocation Memorandum of Understanding</a>); <strong>Legislation</strong> (Va. Code. Ann. <a href="https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title2.2/chapter22/article12/">Secs. 2.2-2365 through 2.2-2377</a>); <strong>Policy</strong> (Opioid Abatement Authority <a href="https://www.oaa.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/oaa/pdf/Policy-for-Gold-Standard-Incentive-to-Cities-and-Counties---Adopted-Oct-24,-2022.pdf">“Gold Standard” Policy</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>55% Opioid Abatement Fund Share</h4></td><td><h4>30% Local Share</h4></td><td><h4>15% Commonwealth Share</h4></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Ultimate Decisionmaker</strong></em></td><td><a href="https://www.oaa.virginia.gov/"><strong>Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority</strong></a> (<em>for 85% of this share, or 46.75% of VA's total funds</em>) and <strong>local officials</strong> (<em>for 15% of this share, or 8.25% of VA's total funds</em>)</td><td><strong>Local officials</strong> for cities and counties</td><td><strong>Virginia General Assembly</strong></td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Decision-making Process</strong></em></td><td><p><strong>The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) oversees expenditures of this share</strong> consistent with allocations outlined in the state’s MOU and state law:</p><ul><li>15% of the Fund to state agencies</li><li>35% of the Fund to Regional Efforts/Cooperative Partnerships</li><li>35% of the Fund to “unrestricted” uses</li></ul><p><strong>Localities decide how to the spend the 15% of this share that they receive as “OAA Distributions”</strong> (but must adhere to the OAA’s rules and comply with its monitoring)</p></td><td><strong>Localities decide autonomously</strong></td><td><strong>The Virginia General Assembly directs spending</strong> through appropriations</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Supplantation</strong></em></td><td><strong>Prohibited</strong></td><td><strong>Generally, 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> the OAA’s <a href="https://www.oaa.virginia.gov/portal-grants/">Grants Info</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> (not required, but the OAA accepts public comments at most of its meetings)</td><td><strong>Up to each locality</strong> (not required)</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.oaa.virginia.gov/">Opioid Abatement Authority</a> (OAA).</p><p>The OAA is not 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>Public reporting required.</strong> <em>See</em> the annual reports on the OAA’s <a href="https://www.oaa.virginia.gov/">website</a> (<em>e.g.</em>, <a href="https://www.oaa.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/oaa/img/news-and-announcements/2023-OAA-Annual-Report-FINAL.pdf">2023</a>).</td><td><strong>Neither public nor intrastate reporting required</strong> (<em>see</em> purported availability of uses "upon request." <a href="https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/VA-Opioid-Abatement-Fund-and-Settlement-Allocation-MOU1.pdf#page=4">MOU B.5(b)</a>).</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 Authority share, visit its <a href="https://www.oaa.virginia.gov/">website</a>, bookmark its <a href="https://www.oaa.virginia.gov/news-and-updates/">News and Updates</a> page, and <a href="https://www.oaa.virginia.gov/news-and-updates/">subscribe to its email list</a>. </td><td>To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county’s board of supervisors, city council, or local health department.</td><td>A single resource containing updates specific to the Commonwealth share could not be found.</td></tr></tbody></table>