NC lawmakers weigh new aid for Hurricane Helene, drafting up $500 million in new spending

Yahoo

06-02-2025

Repair vehicles from the North Carolina Department of Transportation repair a partially cratered road in western North Carolina amid the recovery from Hurricane Helene. (Photo: NCDOT)
State lawmakers are preparing to spend an additional $500 million in relief for western North Carolina, laying the groundwork for their fourth aid package since Hurricane Helene and the first of 2025.
Under a bill introduced by GOP lawmakers Wednesday in the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery, the General Assembly would move another $275 million into the state's Helene relief fund. Together with a bill passed in December that set aside without spending more than $200 million, the total new commitment would exceed a half-billion dollars.
The new relief package would be the legislature's largest aid bill since mid-October, when it set out $600 million in a second round of relief. It would push the state's total financial commitment to the storm well over $1 billion.
Though the bill funds multiple key requests outlined by Gov. Josh Stein, it falls well short of the total new spending he had requested — $1 billion to address 'immediate needs.'
'This is a starting point, with multiple bills after to follow,' said Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), who co-chairs the House committee. He called the bill a 'framework' open to changes, and said discussions were well underway with the Senate, Stein's office and Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler's office.
That committee will return next week for debate and amendments on the bill; Wednesday's hearing was only for discussion.
Among the largest line-items in the new proposed relief bill are:
$150 million for a new homebuilding program under the Department of Commerce. The program is part of Stein's new team leading efforts out west and effectively replacing ReBuild NC, the long-troubled program in eastern North Carolina.
$150 million for the Department of Agriculture to restore damages to farms, protect against additional flood damage and more.
$100 million to repair private roads and bridges.
$60 million to repair damaged state parks, forests and health care facilities.
$20 million for debris removal.
$10 million for for grants to volunteer organizations assisting with recovery.
$10 million for grants to small and volunteer fire departments.
Private road and bridge repairs are ordinarily not covered by government spending. But officials have indicated that the scale of damage done to vital mountain infrastructure that's privately owned requires aid.
A new program within North Carolina's emergency management department would be charged with approving and sending out the money for private repairs. The state took a similar approach after Tropical Storm Fred in 2021.
Republican leaders in the legislature have repeatedly warned against spending too much, too fast, on the state level. And in this latest proposed relief, they outline guardrails to prevent duplicate spending — instructing the state to 'take all reasonable steps' to obtain federal money or alternative steps.
Included in the bill are several of Stein's top priorities — notably money for the new homebuilding program, as officials warn federal housing money could take months to arrive.
Lawmakers have spent years scrutinizing the state's previous homebuilding program, which was created after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence and has faced years-long financial troubles.
'I really believe that there is a desire on the part of the governor's office not to see that repeated,' said Rep. Dudley Greene (R-Avery).
The proposed relief bill also pledges more than Stein asked for farm recovery and private infrastructure. But absent are several other major asks — including money for business grants and for schools to provide summer education.
'My administration has prioritized a number of items that simply cannot wait until the General Assembly enacts its budget for the next fiscal year,' Stein wrote in a letter to legislative leaders this week.
His office has indicated a more comprehensive budget request, including long-term needs, will come later.
'Have you ever seen a governor's proposed budget or request go through the General Assembly 'as is'?' Bell said. 'The answer is no. The fact is, we've already done multiple hurricane bills, and we'll do more after this.'
On the other side of the building, a trio of senators introduced an aid bill Wednesday — a similar 'shell' bill that does not outline a specific spending total or line-items. Bell said he was optimistic that both chambers could come to an agreement in the coming weeks.
'Hopefully we'll get to a good place,' he said.
House Bill 47 PCS