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 the Georgia Forestry Commission for cleanup; $150,000,000 in loans available through the Georgia Development Authority/GDA). - $500,000,000 for development and construction of additional surface water resources for the coastal region, delivered as a mix of direct investment and loans to increase available surface water by 2030. - $250,000,000 added to Georgia Infrastructure Financing Authority (GIFA) for low‑interest water/wastewater loans to local governments (bringing two‑year GIFA infusions to $500,000,000 when combined with prior funding). - $500,000,000 toward the employees' retirement system to improve funded ratio and long‑term viability (bringing a two‑year infusion to $1,000,000,000). - $333,000,000 net new funding for the Department of Corrections (slightly less than the governor's proposal) redirected to staff increases, equipment and facility needs: more correctional staff positions, additional body cameras and tasers, an overwatch/logistics unit for real‑time monitoring, forensic/intelligence tools, and items to address salary compression and parity for private prison employees. - $50,000,000 in additional school security grants and $3,000,000 for a new school threat‑assessment system. - $22,000,000 for foster care growth and utilization and $1,700,000 to establish a special victims unit to support rescued exploited foster children. - $35,000,000 one‑time stabilization funds for local hospitals and $10,000,000 for the Georgia 1 authority to support ongoing relief efforts. - A $3,000 salary adjustment for benefit eligibility workers in the Department of Human Services (funded at $1,400,000, effective April 1).

During floor discussion Minority Leader Hughley questioned the use of secure modular correctional units the Department of Corrections proposed; Hatchett described the units as prefabricated, robustly built and expected to last "anywhere from 20 to 30 years," adding that they would meet the department's security specifications and be installed with reinforced concrete and specified locks and doors. Several members asked clarifying questions about agricultural relief and pension funding; the sponsors defended the package as a mix of immediate disaster relief and long‑term capital investments.

The committee of the whole reported HB 67 back to the House with a recommendation that it "do pass by committee substitute." Chairman Hatchett moved the committee substitute; Chairman Hitchens seconded. The clerk recorded the final passage tally as 166 yeas and 3 nays, meeting the constitutional majority required for passage. After passage, the House ordered immediate transmittal of the bill to the Senate.

The bill text and committee substitute contain numerous line items and department allocations; the House substituted and adopted the committee version on the floor before final passage. Several members and committee staff thanked House Budget and Research Office staff and appropriations subcommittee chairs for the expedited review and preparation of the supplemental.

Votes at a glance House Bill 67 (FY2025 amended budget, supplemental appropriations) - Motion: "House Bill 67 do pass by committee substitute." Moved by Chairman Hatchett; seconded by Chairman Hitchens. - Final passage: Passed by the House, 166–3. - Outcome: Approved by the House; transmitted to the Senate immediately (per motion recorded on the floor).

What’s next The bill will be considered by the Georgia Senate. If the Senate passes the measure in substantially the same form and the governor signs it, state agencies will receive the supplemental appropriations and the specified relief and capital allocations will be available for expenditure.