Legislators quickly passed a Hurricane Helene relief bill Wednesday, and Gov. Roy Cooper signed the bill into law just a short time later.
“I’m thrilled to announce the passage of our disaster recovery bill, allocating $273 million for relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” Rep. Brenden Jones of Columbus County said in a social media post. “The legislation not only creates critical recovery funds and extends he state of emergency, but also introduce election modifications and enhances public school flexibility. Together we’re supporting our communities in time of need.”
“The General Assembly is fully activated in its efforts to provide relief to Western North Carolina,” said Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham. “This package is just the first round, and more funding will be on the way as we categorize and evaluate the extent of the damage. In the coming months, we will do everything we can to rebuild the region and provide relief to those who so desperately need it.”
House Bill 149 is being financed using part of the $5 billion Savings Reserve fund legislators began preserving more than a decade ago. After touring hurricane-ravaged western North Carolina last week, Jones said last week that the fund was created for just such circumstances.
The $273 million will be primarily used in three directions. The Dept. of Public Safety will allocated $250 million as a match for federal disaster funding, allowing a revolving loan fund for local and state government agencies to maintain cash flow while waiting federal reimbursement.
Elections boards in 25 affected counties will see $5 million for operations and issues directly related to the storm. The state Board initially asked for modifications to election rules in only the 13 hardest hit counties, but the legislature added the remaining 12 storm damaged counties to the law.
Included in the finance bill were provisions for training of elections workers; permission to change early voting plans from those approved earlier this year; and allowing for new voting sites, days and hours of operation, and if necessary, combining precinct locations. Absentee ballot voters may return their ballots to any board of elections in the affected area by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. In-person absentee requests in the 25 earmarked counties will also be allowed until 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, the day before elections. All ballots must still be in local elections offices by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5.
The state Office of Budget and Management will use $2 million for grants to the League of Municipalities, Association of county Commissioners and regional councils of government in counties under 250,000 population for “technical assistance with local recovery efforts.”
The Dept. of Public Instruction will receive $16 million to “supplement or replace the lost compensation for school nutrition employees affected by school closures” from the storm. Remote learning will be increased in areas with damaged schools, and local boards of education will be able to change school calendars as needed to account for damaged or destroyed campuses.
The governor was also given permission to waive certain DMV fees and environmental permits for road repairs through Dec. 31.
Legislators will return Oct. 24 for additional discussions and a possible second round of hurricane disaster relief measures.
All federal funding will be routed through the Hurricane Helene and Tropical Cyclone Eight funds, providing for faster and more direct allocations previous hurricane relief programs.
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