Allegany County to consider joining national opioid "remnant" settlement; share unknown

Staff presented a consent agenda item describing additional national opioid settlements involving six so-called remnant defendants with aggregate proceeds of about $95,000,000. Unlike prior settlements in which state attorneys general joined, this remnant settlement currently appears to be subdivisions-only; the state has not yet signed on. Allegany Countystaff said the county's specific share is not yet known and that distribution will depend on which political subdivisions consent to participate.

Local counsel Bruce Poole has reviewed the matter and recommended the county approve participation; staff said proceeds would be directed to the countyopioid restitution task force and allocated to uses permitted under settlement terms. Commissioners were advised this payment would be a one-time distribution rather than an installment schedule used in some past settlements.

Staff noted a deadline to elect participation (staff said "we have until, until May maybe eighth to elect to participate") and requested the boardconsider placing the matter on the consent agenda for action. Commissioners asked brief clarifying questions and expressed general support for moving the item forward; no final vote occurred at this meeting.

Next steps: staff will continue to monitor state participation and provide updated estimates of Allegany County's share; if the county opts in, funds will be allocated by the opioid restitution task force consistent with permitted uses.