Senate adopts resolution asking legislative auditor for detailed audit of opioid settlement spending

The Louisiana Senate unanimously adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 22 on April 13, asking the legislative auditor to prepare a more detailed accounting of opioid settlement fund expenditures and to consider task-force findings in recommending stronger spending guidance.

Senator Myers, sponsor of SCR 22, told colleagues the resolution "is calling for a report from the legislative auditor to provide a new layer of detail about where the opioid funding is being spent and to utilize the task force ... to make recommendations" for better targeting of funds. Seeing no questions, he moved adoption.

The clerk announced the vote as 38 yeas and 0 nays and declared the resolution adopted. The resolution requests an audit-level review and recommendations; it does not itself appropriate funds or change program rules but seeks oversight and transparency from the legislative auditor.

The next step is for the legislative auditor’s office to accept the request and schedule the work; SCRs are requests for information and do not create new statutory authority by themselves.