FEMA announced that over $1 billion in federal funding is now available to Georgia communities, a promising development after over a year of delayed Hurricane Helene reimbursements. President Trump also signed an Executive Order limiting states’ ability to regulate AI in an effort to protect innovators from inconsistent compliance with varying state laws.
New FEMA Funding
The new FEMA funds are primarily set to repair and restore public infrastructure across Georgia, although $671 million reimburses emergency protective measures taken by Georgia healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The remaining FEMA funding provided to state and local communities include:
- $350 million for more than 140 Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby recovery projects including:
- $140 million to remove debris across more than 20 local jurisdictions.
- $179 million for emergency protective measures taken by local governments, electric cooperatives, and universities.
- $17 million to repair roads, bridges, and culverts across more than 20 municipalities.
- $6.3 million to repair public buildings and facilities in nearly 30 communities.
- $2.6 million to two cities and four electric cooperatives for repairs to public utilities including utility poles, transformers, and electrical lines.
- $1.8 million in Hazard Mitigation projects including:
- $1.2 million to eliminate repetitive flood risks for the city of Richmond Hill.
- $229,000 to provide generators statewide.
When it comes to outstanding Hurricane Helene reimbursements, these projects were in the final stages of the FEMA approval process. If your city still has outstanding funds, promptly reach out to your GEMA contact to find out if your city was approved to receive these funds. Please reach out to Federal Relations Manager, Molly McLoughlin for questions and assistance in drawing down these funds.
White House Order Limiting State AI Regulations
President Trump’s executive order limiting state lawmakers from regulating AI technology comes after a debate between congress, the administration, and industry leaders over how to stay ahead in AI innovation. The White House believes that a patchwork of state AI regulations will stifle private sector innovation and that further regulation should come from the federal government to create a unified framework. Local governments may be able to find more predictability in implementing AI into their operations now that robust regulations from the state are preempted.