This bill establishes new provisions regarding the use and appropriation of funds from the opioid settlement fund in Iowa. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of the Attorney General (AG) submit annual proposed legislative bills for appropriations from the fund, ensuring that 75% of unencumbered and unobligated funds are allocated to HHS and 25% to the AG. The bill also requires that any disbursements from the fund be accompanied by a statement indicating that the funding is a one-time allocation from the opioid settlement fund. Additionally, HHS and the AG must report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, detailing the previous fiscal year's disbursements and their impact.

For the fiscal year 2024-2025, the bill appropriates a total of $42 million from the opioid settlement fund, with $12 million designated for grants to nonprofit organizations focused on co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and $30 million aimed at abating the opioid crisis in the state. The bill ensures that any unencumbered or unobligated funds at the end of the fiscal year will remain available for expenditure until the close of the succeeding fiscal year. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12.51