Georgia House passes $811 million Hurricane Helene relief, $40.5B FY2025 supplemental budget

The Georgia House of Representatives passed House Bill 67 on Feb. 6, advancing an amended fiscal 2025 budget set on a $40.5 billion state revenue estimate and using $2.7 billion in surplus funds for one‑time and targeted investments. The bill cleared the House by a 166–3 vote after debate in a committee of the whole and was ordered sent to the Senate immediately.

Chairman Hatchett, presenting the bill as chairman of the committee of the whole, said the supplemental is intended both to make strategic long‑term investments and to fund the state's response and recovery from Hurricane Helene. "Funding recovery efforts and providing aid to communities across this state that are still reeling from the storm is a top priority of mine," he said as he outlined the package.

The House version of HB 67 adds, among other items: - $811,000,000 total for hurricane Helene relief and recovery, including $145,000,000 for an emergency fund; $298,000,000 for the Department of Transportation to backfill the motor fuel tax holiday and pay for infrastructure repair, debris cleanup and sign replacement; and $5,000,000 to initiate Next Generation 9‑1‑1. - $250,000,000 for farmer and producer relief (house proposal: $100,000,000 to…