Bill > H251

This bill introduces various reforms related to disaster response and recovery in North Carolina, addressing multiple aspects of emergency management and assistance. The bill establishes a new provision preventing discrimination in state disaster recovery assistance, making it illegal to deny or discriminate against citizens based on political affiliation, with violations classified as a Class I felony. It also modifies state emergency assistance fund rules to prohibit requiring unnecessary personal demographic information and automatically adopts certain temporary federal relief waivers issued by the Department of Health and Human Services or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The bill creates specific exemptions for buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene, allowing commercial structures in affected counties to reconstruct with their original window fire-protection ratings and permitting reconstruction of buildings in flood-prone areas under certain conditions. Additionally, the legislation provides temporary permits for processing vegetative debris from disaster areas, waiving certain state and local regulatory requirements for composting and mulching operations. These reforms aim to streamline disaster recovery processes, protect citizens' rights, and facilitate more efficient reconstruction and cleanup efforts in areas impacted by emergencies.

Government Affairs, Justice, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H251