- HB 47 is the fourth installment in Hurricane Helene recovery for western North Carolina, increasing the total legislative funds allocated to over $1.1 billion.
While the General Assembly passed approximately $1 billion in disaster relief for western North Carolina last year, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part I was filed this week and would appropriate an additional $500 million in new funds for Helene disaster recovery.
The House Committee on Helene Recovery discussed the new funding in a meeting on Wednesday. The legislation, notably described as Part I, would transfer $275 million to the Helene Fund from the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund (SERDRF), bringing the total to $500 million for disaster relief programs.
Key funding items include:
- $150 million for home reconstruction and repairs.
- $150 million for agriculture restoration projects and assistance.
- $100 million for private road and bridge repairs and replacements.
- $60 million for repair of state facilities, including state parks and prisons.
- $20 million for debris removal unmet needs.
- $10 million for Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs).
- $10 million for volunteer fire departments in the affected area.
“As we know, this is a major issue that our state faces, and helping the people of western North Carolina recover is the top priority of both chambers, and I think the entire state of North Carolina is on board with that,” said Rep. John Bell, R-Wayne.
The legislation would also extend certain disaster relief regulatory and flexibility provisions.
Leaders of the House and Senate have said rebuilding western North Carolina is their number one priority for the 2025 session. HB 47 is the fourth installment in Hurricane Helene recovery for western North Carolina, increasing the total legislative funds allocated to over $1.1 billion.
“This legislation will mark another important step forward in the state’s response to Hurricane Helene,” said committee co-chairs Reps. Dudley Greene, R-Avery, and Bell. “We look forward to getting further input from members of the committee and the House as the bill moves through the legislative process.”
State senators filed a similar bill on Wednesday to transfer funds from the SERDRF to the Helene Fund for further disaster relief and recovery assistance.