Hurricane Helene relief passes TN General Assembly

The Tennessee General Assembly passed bills related to Hurricane Helene relief Wednesday night. The state House passed the bills after they were approved by the Senate earlier Wednesday. State representatives from across Northeast Tennessee stood by the podium as the bills were discussed and voted on. Representatives approved a bill that would create two funds: the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund and the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund. The first would be used to help cover local governments’ interest costs on money borrowed for Hurricane Helene recovery. The second fund would be used by TEMA for Helene relief such as agriculture recovery, unemployment assistance, and business recovery assistance. The funds would be disbursed through grants or loans to third parties. The bill now awaits Governor Lee’s signature.