HJR 21 Summary

• Amends Act 2023-383 to expand the Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds from 16 to 17 members by adding an expert in opioid treatment and abatement for veterans appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Commission develops statewide plans for investment and use of opioid settlement funds and reviews expenditures by agencies and entities to ensure effective results for Alabama's opioid crisis.

• Commission membership includes state agency heads, legislative leaders, appointed experts, and legislators representing both parties; must reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state.

• Chair of the House Ways and Means-General Fund Committee serves as commission chair; commission meets at least semiannually with meetings governed like legislative sessions; new appointments must be made within 30 days of passage.

• Commission has annual expenditure limit of $5,000 and continues until all opioid settlement funds are appropriated and expended, then dissolves.