ATLANTA – Today, the Georgia House passed the final version of House Bill 67, the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2025 budget, which includes $862 million in relief for victims of Hurricane Helene across Southeast Georgia.
“Last September, farmers, families, citizens and communities across Southeast Georgia were devastated by Hurricane Helene,” said House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington). “The House has put politics aside to act expeditiously and deliver the critical resources our citizens need to recover. We will continue working closely with our partners at the federal level to advocate for further support until those impacted are made whole.”
When combined with tax credits provided for those who experienced direct losses related to Hurricane Helene, a total of more than $1 billion will be provided for recovery efforts. See more highlights from the AFY 2025 budget below:
- HB 67 includes $113 million for the Governor’s Emergency Fund to continue the state’s emergency response efforts related to Hurricane Helene and $50 million to fund the state and local match of debris removal from local roads and right of ways.
- For communities still reeling from the storm, HB 67 provides $25 million to the OneGeorgia Authority to engage nonprofits in the efforts to rebuild communities and assist storm victims.
- HB 67 includes $100 million in funds previously authorized through the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission for relief and provides $185 million in additional funds to provide disaster relief assistance to farmers and timber producers impacted by Hurricane Helene, for a total investment of $285 million.
- HB 67 also includes $21.9 million in one-time grants to 27 public rural and critical access hospitals and $160,000 to eight federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to assist in financial stabilization and Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
- For public library systems included in the major disaster declaration area, HB 67 includes $1.4 million in one-time grants to assist in the replacement of damaged materials and equipment as well as general recovery efforts.
- The AFY 2025 budget holds the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) harmless for the motor fuel tax suspension after Hurricane Helene by putting the lost revenue of $98.9 million into the Capital Construction program. Additionally, $200 million is added to Routine Maintenance for incurred costs of storm response, including debris removal, infrastructure rehabilitation and sign replacement related to Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Debby and flooding.
For more information about the AFY 2025 budget, please visit the following link:
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69394
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