Signed by Governor Josh Stein

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $500 million for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Requires the State Controller to transfer $275 million from the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund to the Helene Fund (Sec. 2). 

• Appropriates $500 million from the Helene Fund in nonrecurring funds, as follows (Sec. 2):

• $125 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;

• $75 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the Hurricane Helene Agricultural Crop Loss Program;

• $100 million to the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety for the Private Road and Bridge Repair and Replacement Program;

• $55 million to the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program;

• $20 million to the Office of State Budget and Management to distribute to State agencies and units of local government;

• $10 million to the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety to provide grants to any member organization of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster;

• $10 million to the Office of the State Fire Marshal;

• $10 million to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services;

• $5 million to the Department of Commerce for the nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts; and 

• $15 million to Golden L.E.A.F. (Long-Term Economic Advancement Foundation), Inc.

• Establishes the Hurricane Helene Agricultural Crop Loss Program within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to provide financial assistance to farmers affected by Hurricane Helene (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program to be administered by the Department of Commerce to assist small businesses by providing grants to local governments to expedite infrastructure repairs (Sec. 2). 

• Requires that of the funds appropriated to the Department of State Treasurer from the Helene Fund, $100 million shall be used to provide cashflow loans to local governments in the affected area (Sec. 5). 

• Extends the statewide declaration of emergency until June 1, 2025 (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 6). 

Full Bill Text