(a) There is hereby created under the jurisdiction of the attorney general the Kansas fights addiction grant review board. At least one member of such board shall reside in each of the state‘s congressional districts. Each member shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Such board shall be composed of 11 members who have expertise in the prevention, reduction, treatment or mitigation of the effects of substance abuse and addiction, as follows:

(1) One member appointed by the attorney general to be designated as chairperson of the board;

(2) one member appointed by the governor;

(3) one member appointed by the president of the senate;

(4) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(5) one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

(6) one member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(7) one member appointed by the league of Kansas municipalities;

(8) one member appointed by the Kansas association of counties;

(9) one member appointed by the Kansas county and district attorneys association;

(10) one member appointed by the association of community mental health centers of Kansas; and

(11) one member appointed by the behavioral sciences regulatory board.

(b) The board shall receive and consider applications for grants of money from the Kansas fights addiction fund. Not fewer than six members of the board voting in the affirmative shall be necessary to approve each grant, and each member shall have one vote. The board may adopt rules and procedures for its operation, conduct hearings, receive testimony and gather information to assist in its powers, duties and functions under this act.

(c) In awarding grants, the board:

(1) Shall take care to support services throughout the state and shall ensure not less than 1/8 of the total amount of moneys granted each calendar year shall be for services in each of the state’s congressional districts;

(2) shall take into account science and data-driven substance abuse prevention reduction, treatment or mitigation strategies;

(3) shall consult with the Kansas prescription drug and opioid advisory committee, the department of health and environment, the insurance department and other appropriate public and private entities to ensure coordination of drug abuse and addiction prevention and mitigation efforts throughout the state;

(4) shall approve grants only in compliance with the requirements of Kan. Stat. Ann. 2023 Supp. 75-777, and amendments thereto;

(5) shall consider the sustainability of programming after grant funds are exhausted;

(6) may establish conditions for the award of grants and require assurance and subsequent review to ensure such conditions are satisfied;

(7) may give preference to qualified applicants that are not otherwise seeking or receiving funds from opioid litigation; and

(8) may give preference to grants that expand availability of certified drug abuse treatment programs authorized by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6824, and amendments thereto.

(d) (1) The attorney general shall provide administrative support for the board and shall administer, monitor and assure compliance with conditions on grants awarded.

(2) To carry out the duties and responsibilities under paragraph (1), the attorney general may enter into an agreement with the sunflower foundation to provide such administration, monitoring and assurance of compliance. Such agreement may:

(A) Provide for the attorney general to periodically transfer moneys from the Kansas fights addiction fund to the sunflower foundation. The sunflower administration shall administer any such moneys in a manner consistent with this act and with grants approved by the board. If an agreement authorized by this subsection is in effect, the attorney general may transfer moneys from the Kansas fights addiction fund to the sunflower foundation pursuant to such agreement;

(B) provide for a reasonable fee or other compensation for the sunflower foundation for services related to this act;

(C) make provision for the use of any earnings on moneys transferred to the sunflower foundation pursuant to this act and invested by the sunflower foundation; and

(D) contain other provisions as may be reasonably necessary and appropriate to carry out the provisions of this act.

(3) The attorney general may take any action necessary to ensure the greatest possible recovery from opioid litigation and to seek funds for the Kansas fights addiction fund and the municipalities fight addiction fund.

(e) Members of the board shall not receive compensation or expenses for serving on the board. Each member shall file a statement of substantial interest as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 46-248 through 46-252, and amendments thereto. No member shall participate in the consideration of any grant application for which such member has a conflict of interest.