Committee approves six supplemental opioid-restution appropriations totaling more than $14 million

Baltimore City Council Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Danielle McCray, the councilwoman for the Second District, opened the committee hearing saying the panel was "convening today to consider 6 bills that together would advance more than $14,000,000 in supplemental appropriations from the city of Baltimore's opioid restitution fund at the request of mayor Scott's administration." The committee voted to advance all six bills to second reader at the next full council meeting.

The measures would allocate money from the city—s opioid restitution fund to the mayor—s Office of Recovery, the Department of Law and the Baltimore City Health Department. The funds respond to settlements and jury awards Baltimore secured in litigation against pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors; the committee record notes the city—s total recoveries exceeded $668,000,000 as of November 2024. Chair McCray and committee staff said the funds will remain in a dedicated trust intended to support opioid abatement work for at least 15 years and to keep the settlement proceeds separate from the general fund.

Councillor Zee Cohen, council president, thanked city legal staff and the administration for the litigation and planning behind the awards and…