Update: Feb. 25, 5:45 p.m. — On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the House passed Hurricane Helene relief bill House Bill 47 with bipartisan support.

“Ensuring Western North Carolina recovers swiftly and responsibly remains our top priority in the House,” House Speaker Rep. Destin Hall said in a press release. “For that reason, House Bill 47 is the first legislation voted on and approved this session. I am proud of the work the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery, our Western NC delegation and others accomplished to pass this crucial legislation, and I’m encouraged by the overwhelming support it received today.”

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The North Carolina House appropriations committee voted on Wednesday, Feb. 12, to move forward its proposal for a fourth Hurricane Helene relief bill, which would appropriate $500 million to various relief causes and transfer $275 million from the state’s reserve to its Helene Fund.

The bill, House Bill 47, must now go to the House rules committee. On Wednesday, leadership from the appropriations committee said the House is working with the Senate in order to pass the legislation.

“I’d like to thank the chairmen of the committee and the committee for their incredible work. They are listening to constituents. They’re listening to members here. They’re talking to the governor’s office. They’re talking to federal folks,” said Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, before making a motion to pass the bill. “This is an overwhelming project that we’re trying to deal with. So this is a phase, not an end.”

The 11-page bill does not directly deal with education, but could indirectly impact educators and school staff in western North Carolina. Additionally, due to the large remaining needs in western North Carolina, it is likely that Hurricane Helene allocations will make up the bulk of the General Assembly’s new allocations this session — instead of new raises or building funds, for example.

Here is a look at what is funded by the $500 million allocated in HB47:

• $140 million to the Department of Commerce, Division of Community Revitalization for the Home Reconstruction and Repair Program.
• $75 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Soil & Water Conservation for natural restoration projects, and engineering and technical assistance.
• $75 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the Hurricane Helene Agricultural Crop Loss Program, created in Section 2.4 of the bill.
• $100 million to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management for the Private Road and Bridge Repair and Replacement Program, established in Section 2.3 of the bill.
• $55 million for the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program, created in Section 2.5 of the bill. “Grants would be limited to the lesser of the estimated cost of the identified infrastructure need or $1 million,” a bill summary document says.
• $20 million to the Office of State Budget Management (OSBM) to distribute to state agencies and local governments for debris removal unmet needs. The Governor’s Office for Western North Carolina and N.C. Emergency Management (NCEM) will assist OSBM in coordinating with state agencies and local shareholders, per the bill.
• $10 million to NCEM to provide grants to volunteer organizations active in disaster (VOADs) assisting in the affected area.
• $10 million to the Office of the State Fire Marshal to provide funds for repairs of damage to fire stations, and to buildings or vehicles used by rescue squads or emergency medical service providers. “Any remaining funds would be distributed equally to all fire departments in the affected area to purchase equipment or make capital improvements to assist with readiness for future emergency response,” the bill summary document says.
• $10 million to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, to supplement rental assistance payments provided in accordance with Section 4B.7 of S.L. 2024-53.
• $5 million to the Department of Commerce for the nonprofit corporation the Department contracts with for targeted media campaigns to encourage tourism to counties in the affected area.

In addition the new allocations, House Bill 47 would also “extend the state of emergency, and extend certain disaster recovery regulatory and procurement flexibility provisions,” according to the bill summary. The bill extends the state of emergency until June 1, 2025.

HB 47 has no effect on Executive Order 322, issued by the governor on Oct. 16, 2024, which concerns unemployment insurance benefits. However, another bill moving through the House — House Bill 48 — would ratify that order and increase the maximum unemployment benefit, not to exceed $450 weekly. That bill must now go to the House rules committee.

On Wednesday, committee co-chair Rep. John Bell, IV, R-Wayne, said state lawmakers are working to provide necessary aid while also wanting to maximize federal dollars.

“We’re still trying to manage the process with our friends and the federal government,” Bell said. “…If we’re not careful, we’ll actually lose out on federal funds that we can qualify for. So we’re being very strategic on what we do, how we do it.”

You can read the full bill on the General Assembly’s website.