12-20-21-SR - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4 C. Statutory change. 1. The Parties agree to work together in good faith to propose and lobby for legislation in the 2022 Minnesota legislative session to modify the distribution of the State’s Opiate Epidemic Response Fund under Minnesota Statutes section 256.043, subd. 3(d), so that “50 percent of the remaining amount” is no longer appropriated to county social services, as related to Opioid Settlement Funds that are ultimately placed into the Minnesota Opiate Epidemic Response Fund (“Legislative Modification”).1 Such efforts include, but are not limited to, providing testimony and letters in support of the Legislative Modification. 2. It is the intent of the Parties that the Legislative Modification would affect only the county share under section 256.043, subd. 3(d), and would not impact the provision of funds to tribal social service agencies. Further, it is the intent of the Parties that the Legislative Modification would relate only to disposition of Opioid Settlement Funds and is not predicated on a change to the distribution of the Board of Pharmacy fee revenue that is deposited into the Opiate Epidemic Response Fund. D. Bill Drafting Workgroup. The Parties will work together to convene a Bill Drafting Workgroup to recommend draft legislation to achieve this Legislative Modification. The Workgroup will meet as often as practicable in December 2021 and January 2022 until recommended language is completed. Invitations to participate in the group shall be extended to the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, state agencies, the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office, the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council, the Revisor’s Office, and Minnesota tribal representatives. The Workgroup will host meetings with Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate who have been involved in this matter to assist in crafting a bill draft. E. No payments until August 1, 2022. The Parties agree to take all steps necessary to ensure that any Opioid Settlement Funds ready for distribution directly to the State and Participating Local Governments under the National Settlement Agreements or Bankruptcy Resolutions are not actually distributed to the Parties until on or after August 1, 2022, in order to allow the Parties to pursue legislative change that would take effect before the Opioid Settlement Funds are received by the Parties. Such steps may include, but are not limited to, the Attorney General’s Office delaying its filing of Consent Judgments in Minnesota state court memorializing the National Settlement Agreements. This provision will cease to apply upon the effective date of the Legislative Modification described above, if that date is prior to August 1, 2022. 1 It is the intent of the Parties that counties will continue to fund child protection services for children and families who are affected by addiction, in compliance with the Approved Uses in Exhibit A.