From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate unanimously voted Thursday to appropriate $45 million to aid counties ravaged by recent tornadoes.
The Senate passed House Bills 2912 and 2913, which will help Oklahoma counties approved for FEMA disaster assistance to rebuild. The bills are on their way to the governor’s desk.
HB 2912 creates a renewing fund for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to provide advanced financial liquidity to local governments. This allows the department to offer loans for temporary housing, infrastructure repairs, unexpected costs of debris removal and recovery efforts. Local governments can use these funds to offset revenue losses and help cover the local 12.5% match required to receive assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
HB 2913 grants $30 million to the new fund and $15 million to the State Emergency Fund, covering the state required match for FEMA disaster assistance.
Sen. Chuck Hall (R-Perry) and Rep.
Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston) authored the bills respectively.
“It’s been heartbreaking to see the extensive tornado damage in communities across the state,” Hall said. “These relief funds will immediately give Oklahomans the capital they need to recover and start over while also helping localities unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid.”
Senate Majority Floor Leader Greg McCortney (R-Ada) said these funds will help Sulphur recover, which is in his district.
“The Senate fast-tracked this relief funding to help Sulphur, Barnsdall, Marietta and other cities and towns recover and rebuild as quickly as possible,” McCortney said. “Working together to help our communities in times of crisis is part of the Oklahoma Standard. I’m proud to have played a small role in ensuring these localities have all the resources they need to build back better than before.”
Currently, Carter, Hughes, Love, Murray, Okmulgee, Osage, Pontotoc and Washita counties have all been approved for FEMA disaster assistance.