The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 - Part II (S743)

• Appropriates $604.15 million from the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund (Helene Fund) and $40 million from the OSBM Disaster Relief Reserve for FY 2024-2025 to state agencies and non-state entities for disaster recovery efforts in Hurricane Helene-affected counties.

• Provides education assistance including $5 million for community college tuition grants, $5.5 million for UNC Asheville tuition grants, $10.5 million in emergency scholarships for community college students, and $5 million for school mental health services.

• Establishes bridge loan programs totaling $172 million ($50 million for businesses, $100 million for water/wastewater infrastructure, $22 million for underground storage tanks) with low or zero interest rates for disaster-impacted entities pending federal relief.

• Implements temporary regulatory flexibility including waiver of employment certification deadlines, extension of business licenses, reduced building permit review timelines, and allowances for out-of-state security firms and code officials in affected areas.

• Extends administrative deadlines for retirement and disability benefits, provides $100 million in interest-free cashflow loans to local governments for disaster response, and authorizes various permitting modifications and emergency declarations through June 2030.