On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Georgia House of Representatives passed the amended current 2025 state budget 166-3. It included increased funds for Hurricane Helene recovery and the state prison system. The budget reflects Gov. Brian Kemp’s overall funding requests.
The House agreed to a total package of $811 million in relief and recovery funds for Hurricane Helene damage. An additional $150 million will be added in loans to the Georgia Development Authority (GDA) to provide disaster recovery assistance and development opportunities specifically to farmers and timberland owners. This money is in addition to the $100 million approved in November 2024.
The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) would receive $100 million for cleanup.
Since the hurricane hit the state in late September 2024, both the GDA and GFC received more applications and requests for loans than available funds.
“This storm had a much larger impact than anything any of us have ever seen,” said Rep. Matt Hatchett (R) from Dublin, “and it forever changed lives and the landscape of our state.”
Hurricane Helene cost the state’s agriculture and timber industries $5.5 billion.
“Funding recovery efforts and providing aid to communities across this state that are still reeling from this storm is a top priority of mine, Speaker Burns and so many of you in this chamber, and this budget reflects that,” said Hatchett as he detailed the spending increases to House members.
Hatchett detailed proposed spending increases for the Department of Corrections.
The House approved an increase in salaries for state prison employees including both security and administrative personnel. It passed an additional $5.1 million for pay increases.
“These employees are part of the correctional network, and maintaining proper staffing is just as important in private prisons as it is in state prisons,” Hatchett said.
Gov. Kemp requested money to purchase bodycams and tasers totalling $7.2 million.
The House increased that amount to nearly $10.5 million.
Representatives cut some money for adding prison beds to Coffee and Wheeler Correctional Institutions.
The state Senate will consider the House bill in the coming days before a final version goes to the governor.
