HR1650: HR1650 House Study Committee on Local Government Emergency Disaster Relief Loans; create

When a disaster hits and the federal government declares it a disaster area, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimburses local governments for eligible expenses, but only after those governments spend the money themselves. Many Georgia cities and counties lack the cash to cover costs up front while they wait for that reimbursement, which can take a long time. This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Local Government Emergency Disaster Relief Loans to examine the problem. The five-member committee, appointed by the Speaker of the House, would study how other states have set up bridge loan programs, consider how a similar program could be funded and run in Georgia, and decide whether changes to state law are needed. The committee must file a report or meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Local Government Emergency Disaster Relief Loans, made up of five House members appointed by the Speaker.
• Directs the committee to study whether Georgia should create a bridge loan program to help local governments cover disaster costs before FEMA reimbursement arrives.
• Requires the committee to review similar bridge loan programs already used in other states.
• Allows committee members to receive standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five days of meetings unless more days are approved.
• Sets the committee to automatically end, or be abolished, on December 1, 2026, after filing a report or meeting minutes.

The resolution directly affects members of the Georgia House of Representatives appointed to the study committee, and its subject matter concerns local governments (cities and counties) that respond to federally declared disasters and rely on FEMA reimbursement.

If the study leads to a future bridge loan program, local governments facing disasters could get faster access to cash for cleanup and recovery instead of waiting months for FEMA reimbursement, potentially easing budget strain on cities and counties after storms or other emergencies.

• Paragraph (1) formally creates the House Study Committee on Local Government Emergency Disaster Relief Loans.
• Paragraph (2) sets the committee at five House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying the issue and recommending any needed action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) funds the committee through existing House appropriations and caps paid allowances at five meeting days absent extra authorization.
• Paragraph (6) requires a report (or meeting minutes if no report is approved) to be filed with the Clerk of the House before abolishment.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-25House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-03-12House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-10House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-09House Hopper (House)

• Josh Bonner (R, HD-073)Primary sponsor
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)

• disaster relief
• local government funding
• FEMA reimbursement
• emergency management
• state study committees