|
Approval of FY 25 Amended Budget as HB 67
The House's version of the AFY 2025 budget contains a revised estimate of $40.5 billion. The House's version of the AFY 2025 budget emphasizes strengthening Georgia's economy while prioritizing early education, healthcare, higher education, and public safety. One of the most critical areas addressed in the House's version of the amended budget is the urgent need to provide ample relief and funding for Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene. In light of the widespread devastation caused by the storm, we must continue to direct the necessary resources toward relief and recovery efforts for those affected. Our state's budget remains robust, and in the following paragraphs, I will highlight some of the House's recommendations and how they may impact our state and communities.
As we witnessed severe damage to parts of our great state, the House worked tirelessly to help communities recover and rebuild from Hurricane Helene. As such, the state allocated immediate funding to hard-hit areas, and the House's version of the amended budget targets populations and areas that still need financial intervention. In line with Governor Brian Kemp's recommendations, the House's version also recommends $145 million be added to the Governor's Emergency Fund to continue funding our state's emergency response efforts to the storms. The House's version of the AFY 2025 budget would also protect the Georgia Department of Transportation from the financial impact of the motor fuel tax suspension following Hurricane Helene by redirecting the lost $98 million into the Capital Construction program. In addition, the House's version of the AFY 2025 budget recommends allocating $200 million to routine maintenance for response efforts related to Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Debby, and flooding in November 2024. The House's version of the AFY 2025 budget also includes $100 million in previously authorized funds through the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission for relief efforts and an additional $150 million to support disaster relief for farmers and timber producers affected by Hurricane Helene.
Furthermore, the House's version of the amended budget directs $50 million for the Department of Administrative Services' property risk pool to repair state property damaged in Helene's wake. The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene was vast, with countless homes, businesses, and infrastructure left in ruins. Many Georgia families are still struggling to rebuild their lives and property after the storm's destruction, making this funding essential for supporting recovery efforts and restoring state assets. In support of fire and environmental safety efforts, HB 67 would also direct $15.7 million to the Georgia Forestry Commission to fund the use of firefighting helicopters and environmental cab tractors.
Following the storms, rural Georgians face barriers to accessing quality healthcare and receiving timely medical care. To resolve this concern, the House's version of the AFY 2025 budget provides $35.6 million in one-time stabilization grants to support Georgia's rural hospitals' recovery efforts. Moreover, the House's version of the amended budget includes $1.4 million for a $3,000 salary enhancement for federal eligibility caseworkers, recognizing their hard work and dedication to assisting natural disaster victims. These caseworkers play a vital role in helping Georgians navigate the complex process of securing disaster relief, and it's important that their efforts are acknowledged. In the original FY 2025 budget, passed last session, other caseworkers received similar salary increases, underscoring Georgia's commitment to supporting those serving our communities in crisis. Additionally, the House's version of the AFY 2025 budget includes $10 million in grant funds allocated explicitly for relief from Hurricane Helene, further reinforcing the state's commitment to aiding in recovering those impacted by the storm.
As we move forward in rebuilding our communities, it is crucial that we also ensure we equip our communities with the necessary tools to maintain Georgia's status as the number one state to do business. In line with our commitment to supporting rural communities, HB 67 would allocate $28 million to rural workforce housing through grants and loans. This funding aims to boost rural workforce development by increasing housing availability in these areas. Additionally, the House's version of the amended budget recommends $20 million in grants for rural site development, which would support local economic growth and help communities create development-ready sites.
My colleagues and I remain committed to school security, and the House's version of the AFY 2025 budget includes $50 million for school security grants, which would provide $21,635 per school for one-time security expenses. In addition to the $109 million in base funding, school systems would receive $68,759 per school in FY 2025. Additionally, $3 million is allocated to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to establish funds for a school risk assessment system to safeguard our state's young learners. Under HB 67, the House proposes $7.42 million in new lottery funds for the Department of Early Care and Learning to implement House Early Childhood Education Working Group recommendations. These recommendations include raising pay for Pre-K lead teachers and assistant teachers to align lead teacher salaries to the State Board of Education schedule and strengthening the Pre-K workforce. Additionally, the House's version of the amended budget would allocate $160,000 in one-time funding to the Governor's Office of Student Achievement to establish a Regional Crisis Recovery Network in partnership with the Southern Regional Education Board. This network would train counselors and deploy them to provide psychological first aid to students following traumatic events, such as natural disasters or school shootings.
In addition to prioritizing access to healthcare in Georgia's rural communities, the House's version of the amended budget is also focused on improving healthcare access across the entire state, ensuring that all Georgia communities have the care they need. One way the House is prioritizing this goal is by recommending a one-time $25 million investment for Mercer School of Medicine to expand learning opportunities and train physicians to practice in rural, underserved communities where healthcare needs are most critical. Additionally, the House proposes another $25 million investment for Morehouse School of Medicine to support faculty recruitment and retention, modernize the medical curriculum, and expand the pathway and career academy program. Furthermore, the House's version of the AFY 2025 budget allocates 2 million to the HOPE Grant program, which would support increased usage and expanded eligibility, as well as an additional $6 million for HOPE Scholarships, bringing the total appropriation to $852 million, which would benefit more than 300,000 students across the state.
The House's version of the amended budget also focuses on providing funding increases for several state departments. Under HB 67, the Georgia Department of Human Services would receive $22.2 million to address the growth in foster care and the rising costs associated with that care. Additionally, the House recommends $1.7 million to fund a special victim's unit within the department, focusing on rescuing foster youth from sexual exploitation. The House's version of the amended budget also allocates $1 million to the Georgia Department of Veterans Services to open a sub-acute unit for veterans with severe mental illness and brain injuries, along with $1.5 million to cover rising healthcare costs at veterans nursing homes.
The House version addresses the critical needs within Georgia's corrections system, including correctional officers, staff, and inmates, which remains a top priority this legislative session. As such, the House's budget recommends an infusion of $333.6 million for the Georgia Department of Corrections, including $214 million earmarked for safety, security, and technology upgrades, with $35 million allocated specifically for security technology to combat contraband. Additionally, the House recommends directing $50.6 million for inmate healthcare services and $15 million for creating a state-owned electronic healthcare records system. Further, $10.5 million would also be allocated for new body cameras and tasers to enhance the safety of both officers and inmates, and $7.2 million would be available for the Over Watch Logistics Unit to provide continuous surveillance and response coordination.
HB 67 now heads to the Senate for consideration, where it will undergo a similar review process. Once the Senate has reviewed the House's version, they may propose changes, and if that happens, the Senate's version of the amended budget will return to the House for further review. Suppose the two chambers cannot reach an agreement. In that case, a conference committee will be appointed to resolve differences between the two versions.
Bills from Week 4
HB 67, the FY25 Amended Budget passed on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Committee Schedules
House Committees are beginning to meet, and once again, I serve on nine committees in addition to leading House Higher Education. Full committee schedules are available online by clicking here.
| 
