Bill
SB 616
Senate Bill 616 bars Michigan local governments from suing over opioid settlements, ensuring full access to $9.3 billion for combating the opioid crisis effectively.
Introduced: October 22, 2025
Sponsor: Senator Sylvia Santana
Status: Referred to Committee of the Whole
Classification: Bill
Subject: Civil Procedure, Opioids, State Law
Senate Bill 616 aims to amend the Opioid Litigation Act to prohibit political subdivisions of the State of Michigan from initiating or continuing legal actions related to specific opioid litigation settlements. The intent of the bill is to ensure that the state and local governments can fully benefit from the financial settlements reached with various opioid manufacturers and distributors, thereby maximizing the funds available for addressing the opioid crisis.
The bill introduces the following key provisions:
Prohibition on Legal Actions: Political subdivisions, such as counties and municipalities, are barred from commencing or maintaining lawsuits related to "released claims" as defined in several major opioid settlements. The specific settlements affected include:
Settlement Amounts: The settlements referenced in the bill include:
The bill primarily affects:
- Political Subdivisions: Counties, cities, and other local government entities in Michigan that might seek to file claims related to the opioid settlements.
- State Government: The state as a whole, which stands to gain full access to settlement funds and incentives by adhering to the prohibitions outlined in the bill.
The bill is expected to have no immediate fiscal impact on the state or local governments. It is designed to prevent further claims arising from actions that have already been litigated, which could otherwise jeopardize the full receipt of settlement funds. By enacting this bill, the state and local governments can secure full incentives under the settlement payment plans, which include both base-level and incentive-level payments.
Senate Bill 616 seeks to streamline the legal landscape surrounding opioid litigation in Michigan by preventing local governments from pursuing claims that could undermine significant settlement agreements. This legislative move is intended to ensure that the state and its subdivisions can fully capitalize on the financial resources available to combat the opioid epidemic effectively.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
