Lawmakers will consider providing a $5 million grant to East Tennessee to ensure that they can maintain property damage from Hurricane Helen and pay county taxes.

Rep. Jeremy Fayson, a Republican Cosby, said the property tax deadline on February 28th, landowners can pay taxes on property damaged in 2024.

Faison of Johnson City and Sen. Rusty Crow, a Republican, sponsored the bill on January 27th as a special session of Congress. It is expected to be one of several flood relief initiatives as the governor proposed to spend $450 million to provide relief. region.

Under their plans, those with a $1,000 local property tax bill would receive $1,300, Faison said, but how extra money will affect their federal income taxes He said he was not certain.

“They don’t have a home anymore, they still have tax bills,” said Fezon, chairman of the House Republican Caucus.

Faison said he will work with the governor, secretary and attorney general to come up with legal and constitutional plans to strengthen those who have been “completely devastated” in his home.

After Hurricane Helene, 11 counties were declared disaster areas in late September 2024, five of whom suffered catastrophic losses and deaths as rain from the hurricane caused historic floods. .

Real estate appraisers in affected counties have worked with the Tennessee Secretary’s office to identify all homes affected by the storm, allowing the state to determine who will qualify for the grant. .

Secretary Jason Mumpowar said Upper East Tennessee legislators would contact him shortly after the flood and find ways to strengthen property owners who suffered losses.

“Unprecedented disasters call for unprecedented action,” Mumpower said.

Those who have already paid property taxes can spend their money on other expenses, he said, adding that “no string” is attached to the grant.

Mumpower said the plan is designed to be “all” as property owners and county government continue to recover. Otherwise, local governments may be forced to raise property taxes to cover operations while overcoming emergencies.

Gov. Bill Lee has withdrawn $100 million from the state’s Tenncare program to provide loans to the county until he receives federal relief funds.

Some lawmakers say the governor should have called a special session last fall to help the county break, and they have been in the midst of private school vouchers and strict immigration measures during the upcoming special session. They claim to summarise flood relief. Plan.

In addition to the Property Tax Relief Bill sponsored by Faison and Crowe, the special session is expected to increase grants to school districts in intense tourism areas. Hampton High School suffered severe damage.