North Carolina legislature swiftly passes hurricane relief and election flexibility

The state House of Representatives and Senate passed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 unanimously, providing $273 million in relief funds and modifications to election procedures in the affected counties. Republican state House Speaker Tim Moore called the legislation a “first step,” in a statement Wednesday.

“This bill ensures immediate financial aid and resources to help families rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities,” Moore said. “This legislation is merely a first step, and we intend to do even more for Western North Carolina in the near future. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene, and we remain committed to helping western NC rebuild.”

The funds allocated toward disaster relief come from the state’s “rainy day fund,” and lawmakers vow that more money will be appropriated in the coming weeks. Republican state Sen. Kevin Corbin expressed gratitude for the fund’s existence on Wednesday.

“I thank God we have the rainy day fund,” Corbin told reporters, according to the News and Observer. “I thank God it’s there. … We have over $4 billion in the rainy day fund because, in western North Carolina, we had a rainy day. That’s what it’s for.”

The bill authorizes 25 western counties, which have been declared federal disaster areas, to make adjustments to their election procedures, including changing or altering polling places. The North Carolina State Board of Elections unanimously authorized flexibility for 13 counties hit by the hurricane on Monday, but the legislation passed Wednesday expands the number of counties eligible.

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Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) is expected to sign the bill into law after signaling support for the legislation during a Wednesday briefing.

Lawmakers are slated to return to session on Oct. 24, when they will likely debate and pass more relief legislation.