House Appropriations Committee passes amended FY2025 budget, approves $4.4 billion infusion including prison and hurricane relief funds

The Georgia House Appropriations Committee voted to pass House Bill 67, the amended fiscal year 2025 budget, after subcommittee reviews that added one-time investments and program adjustments across state agencies.

Chairman Hatchett told the committee that the amended budget is “set by a revenue estimate of $40,500,000,000” and includes $2.7 billion in surplus funds for a total infusion of $4.4 billion, an increase she said represents about 12.2% over the original FY2025 plan. The committee approved the measure by committee substitute on a voice vote after subcommittee presentations and questions.

Why it matters: The amended package directs large, one-time and targeted sums to address infrastructure, public safety, and natural disaster recovery needs that committee members said require expedited funding. The measure moves funds for prison facility repairs and personnel, water and sewer projects, technology upgrades, and hurricane relief to communities and industries hit by Hurricane Helene.

The most substantial line items in the bill include: - $333 million in new funds for the Department of Corrections for staffing, technology, capital repairs and modular units aimed at addressing staffing shortages, aging facilities and contraband control. The House version increased funding for correctional officer positions and equipment compared with the governor’s proposals and added body cameras, tasers and an “overwatch and logistics” monitoring unit. - $811 million total for Hurricane Helene relief and recovery, above the governor’s recommendation. The package includes $145 million to the governor’s emergency fund for initial cleanup and relief, $298 million for the Department of Transportation to backfill motor fuel tax impacts and pay for infrastructure rehabilitation, $150 million to the Forestry Commission for cleanup, $150 million in loans via the Georgia Development Authority, $35 million one-time grants to rural hospitals, and additional smaller allocations to local relief efforts. - $750 million to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), including $500 million in direct aid for coastal surface water resources and $250 million for low-interest loans statewide for water and wastewater infrastructure. - $530 million for the Department of Transportation for interstate and freight-related projects, and $37.5 million added to the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (including $7.5 million for airport aid and $5 million for rail). - $58 million for the Georgia Technology Authority to continue IT modernization and $225 million to the Department of Administrative Services for state liability and property coverage needs. - $500 million to help the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and improve the system’s funding ratio; this is the second year of a two-year, $1 billion infusion, the chair said. - Education and child services adjustments, including $114 million to fully fund K–12 enrollment growth, $50 million for additional school security grants, $22 million for foster care utilization growth and $1.7 million for a Department of Human Services special victims unit focused on exploited foster children. - A $3,000 salary adjustment (budgeted at $1.4 million) for certain eligibility caseworkers in the Department of Human Services effective April 1.

Committee discussion and process: Subcommittee chairs presented line-by-line adjustments from their respective jurisdictions — judiciary, education, transportation, human services, health, economic development and public safety — and noted a mixture of true-ups (adjustments for hiring start dates), program increases, and reductions where earlier appropriations were no longer needed. Several chairs described reductions tied to later start dates for positions and other administrative timing changes.

Representative Jackson asked for clarification on the $35 million hospital stabilization grants; Chairman Hatchett said the grants would be sized based on what nonprofit hospitals pay annually to draw down DSH (disproportionate share) payments and that 35 of the 45 rural hospitals are in disaster areas.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 67 (Amended FY2025 budget) — Motion to pass by committee substitute moved by Chairman Dubnick and seconded by Chairman Meeks; passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition noted in the transcript.

What remains: The measure was sent to the full House as amended and, per the committee, will move to the Senate and then to the governor for signature or further action. Committee members stressed the need for rapid enactment so funds can be deployed for prison improvements and Hurricane Helene recovery.

Ending note: Committee leadership framed the amended package as a mixture of one-time investments and targeted restorations to address sharply identified needs: hurricane recovery, prison system repairs and staffing, water infrastructure, and technology modernization for state agencies. Chairman Hatchett asked members for favorable consideration as the bill moves forward.