Flooding in western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene. (Photo: David Davis, County Extension Director, N.C. Cooperative Extension)
North Carolina House lawmakers added money to fund assistance for renters and farmers to their newest Hurricane Helene relief bill Tuesday.
The additions, which came during the committee amendment process, fulfill additional key requests as the General Assembly continues to negotiate state aid for western North Carolina. House Bill 47 proposes half a billion in new spending.
A line-item added Tuesday lays out $10 million for rental assistance. Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) said it would “bridge the gap” and keep western North Carolinians in homes if federal money runs out.
Another new provision sets out $75 million for a new program to pay out farmers who lost crops, livestock and infrastructure in the storm. That’s in addition to another $75 million going to the Department of Agriculture to restore damages and protect against additional flooding.
“We’ve got the money, to the best of our ability, allocated for what our farmers are indicating needs to be done now,” said Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Cherokee) said.
Further aid for farmers will soon be discussed by the legislature. Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), who co-chairs the House Helene committee, said a separate bill focused on agricultural relief will be introduced next week.
A number of other provisions were also added to the bill Tuesday:
- $55 million to send local governments grant money for “repairs impacting the operation and patronage of small businesses.”
- $5 million for tourism marketing.
- Allowing Department of Adult Correction inmates to clean up debris on public roads.
- Allowing the state to loan out unused heavy construction or transportation equipment to volunteer organizations.
Several amendments by Democrats were proposed but not added to the bill.
Rep. Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe) requested that loans under a $100 million program for local governments be made forgivable. And Rep. Eric Ager (D-Buncombe) proposed moving $50 million from state park repairs to instead fund a grant program for small businesses.
“I think we’re certainly robbing Peter to pay Paul here,” Ager said. “I’d love to raise the (total spending), but that’s not within the rules. I do think taking care of businesses and getting the economy going is important.”
Both Democrats’ amendments were later withdrawn.
Among the top-line items in the bill are $150 million for a new homebuilding program; $100 million for private road and bridge repairs; $60 million for state park and facility damages; and $20 million for debris removal. The total spending represents only around half of what Gov. Josh Stein had requested to address “immediate needs” in the mountains.
“How many bills are we going to need to do this? It’s going to be as many as it takes,” House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) said in remarks ahead of the committee hearing Tuesday.
The bill will now move to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration Wednesday, before heading to the entire House next week. Bell said House leaders were already meeting with the Senate.
“That’s the hope,” Bell said, asked if the chambers planned to come to a preplanned agreement. “But you know, anytime you’re dealing with anything of this magnitude and this amount of money, you’re going to have hiccups or mistakes along the way.”