Appropriations subcommittee hears agency requests after Hurricane Helene; Ag, forestry and water projects top amended budget asks

The House Appropriations subcommittee on economic development heard a string of FY25 amended budget presentations Tuesday focused on hurricane recovery, agriculture emergency response and large water and infrastructure projects.

Commissioner Harper of the Georgia Department of Agriculture told the panel the department has been operating ‘‘practically 24/7’’ since the January outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza and the damage from Hurricane Helene. Harper said the department has so far approved 40 low‑interest loan applications through a state relief program and that private fundraising has produced about $1.8 million for producers. Harper said the department has received 322 applications for low‑interest loans totaling about $121.3 million in requests and that roughly $45 million of requests currently exceed available funding; he estimated another 250–260 applications could arrive, possibly adding roughly $100 million in additional need. Harper also told the committee the department will continue inspections and licensing for the new hemp law and is requesting roughly $37.4 million for improvements at the Atlanta Farmers Market and $425,000 to sustain the hemp program in the…