North Carolina lawmakers approved a $273 million relief package on Wednesday to meet the “most urgent needs” of those whose lives have been turned upside down by Hurricane Helene.
Republican House Speaker Tim Moore said the package will go toward rebuilding communities, supporting small businesses, and providing water and transportation support.
In addition, the bill will change election procedures to ensure that voters can participate in the upcoming election.
“I’m proud of today’s bipartisan vote on the ‘Disaster Recovery Act of 2024,’ legislation to provide much-needed relief to the victims of recent hurricanes,” Moore said in a statement on X. “This bill ensures immediate financial aid and resources to help families rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities.”
He said that the legislation is only the first step and that lawmakers plan on further action.
The legislation was approved unanimously in both the House and Senate as the confirmed total number of deaths from Hurricane Helene reached 237 in the United States.
Lawmakers will meet later in October before their regular mid-November hearings to discuss more action, acknowledging that rebuilding will take years.
“The recovery that is going to have to be done is going to be something that is a Herculean task, but it is something that we will get done,” Moore said.
According to the bill, $250 million is allocated to state agencies and local governments for disaster relief, while additional funding goes to school nutrition programs, technical assistance, and water-sewer reserves.
The legislation also allocates $5 million for the State Board of Elections voter outreach for communication in affected counties, while making several modifications to state election laws for the 2024 general election.
Among those changes is a modification allowing voters to request an absentee ballot in person until the day before the election and providing more ways for voters to drop off absentee ballots.
The bill also loosens permit restrictions on burning laws to facilitate easier clean-up operations and waives permitting requirements associated with highway repair.
Republican Sen. Paul Newton said the legislation was written with bipartisan support.
“We just saw the level of devastation and knew we had to make changes for anybody to have a chance of voting in these elections,” Newton said. “That would be true no matter whether it’s red or blue.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who is expected to sign the bill into law this week, called Hurricane Helene in a press release on Wednesday “a powerful reminder of nature’s might” that “also revealed the unbreakable spirit of our people.”
“In the face of adversity, we have seen neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers stepping up, and first responders risking their lives to ensure our safety,” Cooper said.
“This has been a massive, unprecedented state, local and federal response and I am grateful to all of those working tirelessly. Your bravery and selflessness embody the very essence of our community.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
