Opioid Settlement - $64 Mn available, $142 Mn requested
Opioid settlement council reports $142.6 million in grant requests against $64 million available
The Mississippi Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council has told legislative leaders that applicants are seeking more than double the money set aside for the 2026-2027 grant cycle.
In its annual report to the Legislature, dated November 2, 2026, and signed by Attorney General Lynn Fitch as Council chair, the panel stated that “a total of 149 grant applications were submitted, requesting a total of $142,607,510.00 in opioid settlement funds.” The report said the fund held $84,648,494.71 as of October 28, with $63,956,705.13 of that total available in abatement funds for new awards this cycle. Independent evaluators began scoring applications October 13, and the Council is scheduled to vote on recommendations November 23, with a second session set for November 30 if needed.
The figures show requested grant money running more than twice what is actually available, meaning most of the 149 applicants are likely to be turned away or have their awards reduced. How the Council and Legislature divide the available funds is expected to come into sharper focus ahead of a December 6 recommendation deadline.