Michigan Launches Opioid Settlement Spending Guidance and Public Tracking Tool

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has released new resources designed to bring transparency and accountability to how local governments spend opioid settlement funds across the state. The announcement, made on May 14, 2026, introduces both spending guidance for local officials and a public report tracking how settlement dollars have been allocated since 2023.

The release comes as part of a revised State-Subdivision Agreement negotiated in July 2025 between the Department of Attorney General and 86 Michigan Litigating Local Governments. That agreement mandates annual reporting and gives the Attorney General's office authority to issue guidance and request information about settlement expenditures from participating municipalities.

What the New Resources Provide

The Settlement Spending Guidance and Non-Remediation List offers local governments a framework for allocating opioid settlement funds. Drawing on existing evidence-based guidance, the document outlines recommended uses for the money and identifies expenditures that likely do not qualify as opioid remediation. The list will be updated as new information becomes available.

Alongside the guidance, the Attorney General's office published the Opioid Received/Expended Report, which compiles data submitted by local governments detailing both the amount of settlement funding received and how those funds have been spent. The preliminary report covers data from January 1, 2023, through December 10, 2025, and will continue to be updated as additional local governments submit their reports.

The Scale of Michigan's Settlement Recovery

Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General Nessel has prioritized combating the opioid epidemic through litigation against manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies responsible for fueling the crisis. Those efforts have resulted in more than $1.8 billion in settlements for Michigan governments.

"The opioid epidemic has caused immense damage to Michigan families and communities," Nessel said in the announcement. "By providing spending guidance and accessible data, we are helping ensure that settlement funds remain focused on supporting recovery, prevention, and healing across our state."

Why Transparency Matters

Across the country, states and localities have received billions of dollars in opioid settlements, but tracking how that money is spent has proven challenging. Without clear guidance and reporting mechanisms, some communities have struggled to allocate funds effectively, while others have faced questions about whether expenditures align with the settlements' intended purposes.

Michigan's approach addresses both issues. The spending guidance gives local officials clear criteria for determining appropriate uses, while the public report creates accountability by making expenditure data accessible to residents, advocates, and policymakers.

What This Means for Michigan Residents

For individuals and families affected by substance use disorders, the new resources offer two important benefits. First, the spending guidance increases the likelihood that settlement funds will support evidence-based programs—such as medication-assisted treatment, peer recovery services, and prevention education—rather than being diverted to unrelated purposes.

Second, the transparency report gives community members a tool to track how their local governments are using these resources. Residents can review the data to see whether their counties and municipalities are investing in addiction treatment and recovery services, and they can use that information to advocate for additional funding if gaps remain.

What's Next

The Attorney General's office will continue updating both the spending guidance and the expenditure report as more local governments submit their data. The revised State-Subdivision Agreement requires ongoing reporting, which means the public will have regular visibility into how settlement funds flow through Michigan communities.

For those seeking treatment or support for substance use disorders, Michigan offers resources regardless of ability to pay. The state's Behavioral Health Regional Networks provide services in every county, and the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) offers free, confidential, 24/7 assistance in English and Spanish.

As settlement funds continue to arrive in Michigan communities over the coming years, the new guidance and reporting tools represent a step toward ensuring those dollars fulfill their intended purpose: supporting recovery, preventing future addiction, and healing the damage the opioid epidemic has inflicted on families across the state.