Opioid Settlement Funds Oversight

At a glance

What: BL2026-1452 sets requirements for the administration, transparency and reporting of money Metro receives from litigation against opioid manufacturers, distributors and related entities. It began as an ordinance establishing the Opioid Settlement Steering Committee's role in guiding the strategic use of settlement funds.
Where it stands: Passed second reading as a substitute on September 1, 2026, then passed third reading on the September 15 consent agenda, 33 yes, 0 no.
Next: Nothing pending in these minutes.

Detail

The Public Health and Safety Committee approved the bill with a substitute. Council Member Evans moved passage on second reading, offered the substitute (voice vote, adopted), then moved passage as substituted (voice vote, approved).
The substitute changed the title from the Steering Committee's strategic role to administration, transparency and reporting requirements.
Third reading (September 15): passed as part of the consent agenda with 33 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.
August 4: On second reading the Public Health and Safety Committee recommended a two-meeting deferral. Evans moved to defer the bill to the September 1 Council meeting; approved by voice vote.
Related: On August 4 the Council also adopted RS2026-2163, $750,000 to Dismas, Inc.; see Dismas House Harm Reduction Grant.
July 7: BL2026-1452 (then titled for the Steering Committee's role) passed first reading and was referred to the Public Health and Safety Committee. That evening the Council also adopted RS2026-2089, 233,900 dollars to Street Works dba Today's Hope for a youth-focused syringe service education program (30 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain: Nash), and approved on consent a settlement of opioid-related claims with Publix Super Markets, Inc. (RS2026-2076).
July 21: The Public Health and Safety Committee recommended deferral and the bill was deferred under Rule 8.1. On consent the Council approved RS2026-2119 (638,789 dollars to Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center for an opioid-stigma education campaign and provider training) and RS2026-2120 (106,000 dollars to We Are One Recovery for prevention education and peer navigation), both through the Board of Health.