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Committee approves six supplemental opioid-restution appropriations totaling more than $14 million
Summary
Baltimore City Council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee voted to advance six bills that together allocate more than $14 million from the city—s opioid restitution fund to departments and recovery programs; all bills go to second reader at the full council.
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 described the allocations as the start of a multi-year effort to support community-based organizations and programs: "This is an important day for Baltimore as we truly, on the council side, begin this process of supporting community based organizations, that have been that are not new to this work, have been doing it for a long time." Cohen singled out partners in academia and people with lived experience for their roles in planning the city—s approach.
Agency representatives stood by the committee reports on the bills. Desiree Lucky, on behalf of the city solicitor, said the law department "stands by our favorable report." Laura Larson, the city budget director, also said the finance office "stands by our favorable bill response." Shamaya Kearney, the city—s chief recovery officer in the mayor—s Office of Recovery, and Julia Roche, legislative affairs director for the Baltimore City Health Department (accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Martin), said their offices also stood by their reports and were prepared to answer questions when requested.
The committee noted the Board of Estimates approved the funding on Dec. 18, 2024. Committee members were told the administration will develop a grant application process, and a transparency and community engagement plan is being finalized to guide how recovery funds are distributed and overseen.
Votes at a glance
- Council Bill 25-007, Mayor's Office of Recovery, $270,000. Motion by Danielle McCray; second by Councilman Gray. Named votes recorded in the hearing: Danielle McCray (yes); Schleifer (yes); Gray (yes); Glover (yes). Outcome: advanced to second reader.
- Council Bill 25-008, Mayor's Office of Recovery, $10,000,000. Motion by Danielle McCray; second by Gray. Named votes recorded in the hearing: Danielle McCray (yes); Schleifer (yes); Millerton (yes); Gray (yes). Glover recorded absent. Outcome: advanced to second reader.
- Council Bill 25-009, (supplementary special revenue appropriation), $1,773,000. Motion by Danielle McCray; second by Gray. Named votes recorded in the hearing: Danielle McCray (yes); Schleifer (yes); Millerton (yes); Gray (yes). Glover recorded absent. Outcome: advanced to second reader.
- Council Bill 25-010, Department of Law, $100,000. Motion by Danielle McCray; second by Gray. Named votes recorded in the hearing: Danielle McCray (yes); Schleifer (yes); Millerton (yes); Gray (no). Glover recorded absent. Outcome: advanced to second reader.
- Council Bill 25-011, Baltimore City Health Department, $500,000. Motion by Danielle McCray; second by Gray. Named votes recorded in the hearing: Danielle McCray (yes); Schleifer (yes); Middleton (yes); Gray (yes). Glover recorded absent. Outcome: advanced to second reader.
- Council Bill 25-012, Baltimore City Health Department, $2,000,000. Motion by Danielle McCray; second by Gray. Named votes recorded in the hearing: Danielle McCray (yes); Schleifer (yes); Millerton (yes); Gray (yes). Weber recorded absent. Outcome: advanced to second reader.
All six measures were advanced to second reader at the next full council meeting. No members of the public signed up to give testimony during the committee hearing.
Background and next steps
Committee members and administration staff said the money will fund initial grants to organizations named in the settlements, support oversight by the mayor's office and the health department, and expand overdose-abatement efforts. The committee record notes a community engagement and transparency plan is being finalized; the administration also intends to publish a grant application process so nonprofits can apply for the funds. The hearing concluded after the six votes; each bill was reported out of committee to the full council for the next reading.
