Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disaster Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House passes stand-alone Helene recovery bill (HB1012) to send $464M and other relief to Western North Carolina
Summary
The House unanimously advanced House Bill 1012, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025, passing second reading 106–0 and approving the bill for third reading; sponsors cited roughly $464 million targeted for Western North Carolina recovery, plus grants for farms, small businesses and resilience projects.
The North Carolina House passed House Bill 1012, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025, advancing the stand-alone recovery package aimed at communities affected by Storm Helene. The bill passed its second reading on a recorded vote of 106–0 and was read a third time without objection; it was ordered engrossed and sent to the Senate.
Representative Gillespie, sponsor of the bill, said the measure directs approximately $464,000,000 to Western North Carolina to repair roads and bridges, reimburse privately rebuilt bridges, and support regional airports and communications hubs disrupted by the storm. He said lawmakers reclaimed $65,000,000 and reallocated it to priorities identified through constituent feedback and agency consultation.
Lawmakers described several targeted allocations: $25,000,000 for farm-infrastructure grants (barns, greenhouses, fencing and farm roads), $15,000,000 for the STRAP stream-bank stabilization program, $15,000,000 for general debris removal, $10,000,000 for dam removal/repairs, and $18,000,000 to the State Fire Marshal for wildfire response preparedness. The bill includes $60,000,000 in small business grants, $5,000,000 for community college tuition assistance, funds to assist university uninsured losses, and $20,000,000 earmarked for nonprofit response organizations and rental-rehabilitation initiatives.
Representative Johnson confirmed a $3,000,000 allocation to the Department of Information Technology (DIT) to run an RFP and develop a one-stop constituent portal for disaster recovery resources. Representatives raised concerns about debris-removal practices and safeguards; Representative Harrison urged adherence to Wildlife Resources Commission and DEQ guidance when the Army Corps engages in stream debris removal, and sponsor Gillespie said Corps teams have met with local entities to address sensitive sites while balancing public-safety liabilities.
A technical chair's amendment advanced by Representative Greene — cleaning up language, expanding eligible organizations for technical assistance, changing administering agencies for some funds and authorizing septic repair funding — was adopted by recorded vote (106–0) before the bill advanced. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
