Senate Appropriations reallocates funds in FY 2025 amended budget to boost Hurricane Helene relief

The Georgia State Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously Feb. 24 to advance the committee’s recommendations on the state’s FY 2025 amended budget, House Bill 67, shifting existing appropriations to create new storm-relief funding and other targeted investments.

The move follows major 2024 storms that committee members said changed spending priorities. Committee leaders described a mix of reductions, line-item “combing” and reallocated adds intended to fund debris cleanup, agricultural and timber relief, local government FEMA matches and other needs without adding a new tax or bond authorization.

Why it matters: Committee members said the state must provide immediate aid to communities in South and East Georgia affected by the storms, shore up public safety and corrections staffing, and preserve infrastructure funding while finding savings in other programs.

Key provisions and reallocations

- Storm relief and cleanup: The committee budget adds roughly $125 million described as storm relief, including $50 million targeted to agriculture and timber relief and an $82 million line item for state and local debris cleanup. The committee combined a $32 million estimate from the governor’s office with an additional $50 million to reach the $82 million cleanup total.

- Direct aid for households: The budget adds $25 million for households and property owners who do not qualify for…