Karl Gillespie Legislative report

Email from Rep. Karl Gillespie, District 120

THE LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

In this week's edition of The Legislative Review, House committees reconvene and disaster relief legislation is considered.

House Committees Reconvene

For the week beginning, February 3, 2025, I met with my colleagues to review the upcoming week’s agenda as well as to discuss disaster relief legislation. On Wednesday, my colleagues and I attended a caucus meeting in the early afternoon. The House Select Committee on Helene Recovery met at 2:00PM where we discussed House Bill 47, “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025- Part I.” I am a co-sponsor of this legislation which appropriates $500 million for disaster relief efforts. The House held non-voting sessions during the course of the week.

For the week beginning Monday, February 10, 2025, I returned to Raleigh to work with my colleagues on the details of the latest disaster recovery bill. Tuesday morning I met with the House Appropriations, AgNER Chairs and staff and we discussed the committee process and expectations for the legislative session.

At 2:00PM, I attended the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery where I introduced an amendment to HB47 that focuses on getting our farmers back in the field and the ground ready for planting again. We talked to a lot of stakeholders to try and determine what the most immediate needs are. $75 million would be appropriated to the Department of Agriculture for the Hurricane Helene Agricultural Crop Loss Program and $75 million would be appropriated to the Department of Agriculture Division of Soil & Water Conservation for natural restoration projects, and engineering and technical assistance.

Total funding in HB47 is $500 million and the full breakdown can be viewed here:

Introducing an amendment in the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery

Wednesday morning I attended the Appropriations Committee where we voted on HB47, Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I. The bill received a favorable committee report and was referred to the House Rules Committee. The House Agriculture and Environment Committee met for an organizational meeting and to discuss the anticipated committee agenda for this session.

After attending an early afternoon caucus with my colleagues, the House largely concluded its business for the week.