Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Opioid Settlement Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chairman Williams says amended bill would direct opioid settlement dollars to mobile crisis response and treatment
Summary
On March 23, 2026 the Civil Justice Subcommittee approved an amendment to House Bill 1816 and voted unanimously to send the bill to the full judiciary committee; the sponsor said it directs opioid settlement funds to mobile crisis response and residential treatment beds to address regional shortages.
On March 23, 2026 the Civil Justice Subcommittee voted to send House Bill 1816, as amended, to the full judiciary committee after approving an amendment recited on the record. The clerk reported the motion passed by voice vote and recorded 6 ayes and 0 nos.
Chairman Williams, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure "ensures Tennessee is using opioid settlement dollars as needed to address both addiction and the mental health crisis in our state," and singled out mobile crisis response and residential treatment beds as priorities where the state currently faces capacity constraints. He said the bill represents "a targeted statewide investment," and that other states are prioritizing similar uses to reduce long-term costs.
The amendment (drafting code recited on the record as "0 1 5 7 9 0" and echoed in the hearing) was offered, seconded and adopted before the committee considered the bill on the floor of the subcommittee. No members raised objections or further questions during consideration. The chair then moved, and the committee voted, to refer House Bill 1816 to the full judiciary committee for further consideration.
Next steps: House Bill 1816 will appear on the judiciary committee docket for additional hearings and possible floor action; the subcommittee record notes the referral and the amendment code recited at the meeting.
