This information was compiled based on information from publicly available legislation, state memorandums or executive orders, state websites, and press releases, as well as supplemental interviews with state officials with a role in administering opioid settlement funding.
It offers a snapshot of settlement spending and priorities at the state level (e.g., funding administered by state agencies or designated statewide abatement funds) as well as laws, agreements, and processes that the state has established for allocating funds. NASHP does not track spending at the local or county level, but includes any relevant state-level reports or dashboards that capture local spending within a state. For details on the definitions used here, check out the definitions at the bottom of this page. You can also get an overview of opioid settlement decisions in all states.
Settlement Spending Status
Background
The Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC), a subcommittee of the Utah Opioid Task Force, has no statutory process in the state’s settlement allocation process. However, it works to inform state actions by compiling evidence-based priorities and recommendations from the public and subject matter experts. Actual disbursements of settlement funding are made through legislative appropriation — the Utah Department of Health and Human Services operates an Opioid Litigation website that highlights settlement appropriations made in 2022, 2023, and 2024 legislative sessions and also publishes annual funding reports on settlement disbursements.
Has the state awarded settlement funds?
Yes. The most recent legislative appropriations highlight state-approved funding in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as progress toward implementing the projects. These appropriations are managed through the Department of Health and Human Services, with grantees being funded and evaluated over three-year increments. In 2024, approved projects included funding for recovery community centers, expanding care for pregnant people with substance use disorder, and youth prevention services, among other examples.
Has the state announced priorities or recommendations for spending?
Yes. In its Roadmap for Opioid Settlement Investments, OSAC outlines results from both subject matter experts and public surveys on community needs and recommends priorities for upcoming settlement spending. Survey results showed that 35 percent of participants recommended prioritizing spending for treatment and recovery services; 19 percent prioritized expanding needed or non-existing services (e.g., housing, employment/job training, workforce development); 17 percent prioritized prevention; 17 percent prioritized criminal justice strategies; and 12 percent prioritized harm reduction. An executive summary from the advisory committee also outlines recommended priorities for settlement fund management.
Previous spending details
Legislation from 2022 appropriated $2.8 million in state settlement funding for a three-year program focused on pregnant and parenting women with opioid use disorder, while legislation from March 2023 appropriated a total of $6.4 million from the state’s Opioid Litigation Settlement Restricted Account to be distributed to the Department of Health and Human Services. Specifically, these funds focused on prevention, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in jails, emergency department bridge MOUD induction programs, and expansion of rural treatment.
Statewide reporting of local spending
Not applicable.
State Settlement Website or Dashboard
Spending Plans and Agreements
Process for Settlement Disbursement
Legislation requires that the state settlement dollars be placed in the General Fund and disbursed only through legislative appropriation. The Office of Substance Use and Mental Health within DHHS is designated as the entity responsible for reporting on settlement spending.
State and Political Subdivision Split
Structure
Split (no institution controls more than 50 percent of funds)
Allocation Formula
50 percent state, 50 percent settling counties
Role of Advisory Committee
While not given a formal role in the settlement spending process by the state’s legislation or memorandum of understanding, the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Utah Opioid Task Force that was formed by the state attorney general in 2017, has created a blueprint document with high-level spending recommendations for both county and state policymakers.
