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HB 222

Medical Ethics Defense Act-2.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lynn Hutchings and 4 co-sponsors

Allocates $217,000,000 from SERDRF to NCORR to finish Hurricane Matthew/Florence homeowner recovery, with strict audits, monthly/weekly reporting, and clawback of unused funds.

S:Died in Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to SR 5-4
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Bill Summary · HB 222

HB 222 — C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act (North Carolina) — Summary

Status: Reptd. Favorable Com. Substitute (Judiciary); introduced Feb 2025.
Primary purpose: Provide additional funding to complete long‑running homeowner disaster‑recovery projects for Hurricanes Matthew and Florence and impose enhanced reporting, auditing, monitoring, and program‑management requirements on the Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR).

Purpose / Intent

  • Accelerate completion of outstanding homeowner recovery projects tied to Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018) by funding remaining unmet needs and increasing legislative oversight and financial control.
  • Improve transparency and accountability through frequent reporting, Auditor oversight, Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) monitoring, and specified programmatic reviews.
  • Reassign or limit certain NCORR responsibilities for future disaster awards (text partially truncated but indicates changes to NCORR administration of CDBG‑DR awards).

Key provisions

  • Appropriation: Transfers $217,000,000 from the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund (SERDRF) to NCORR for FY 2025–2026 to complete Hurricane Matthew and Florence homeowner recovery projects.
  • Reporting schedule (to Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and Fiscal Research Division):
    • Monthly reports on the first business day after enactment and each subsequent month describing expectations for that month.
    • Progress reports on the first business day after the 15th of each month comparing current progress to prior expectations.
    • Starting with the second monthly report, a 30‑day lookback comparing measurable outcomes to prior expectations.
  • Prioritization: NCORR must prioritize executing an MOU with the Housing Finance Agency to retrieve eligible funds and use those funds for unmet homeowner needs.
  • Reversion (clawback): Any appropriated SERDRF funds remaining after project completion revert to the Savings Reserve.
  • Eligibility review: Within 30 days of enactment NCORR must re‑evaluate all persons removed, denied, or ruled ineligible in the prior 180 days; any changes must be reflected in subsequent reports.
  • Auditor oversight:
    • NCORR must provide the State Auditor detailed documentation of funds appropriated in this act, funds from S.L. 2024‑57, and other disbursements — initial submission no later than 7 business days after enactment and weekly thereafter for new disbursements.
    • Office of the State Auditor may produce reports on NCORR expenditures at the Commission’s request and conduct additional financial and performance audits (including Division of Emergency Management and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western NC).
    • Auditor to create a public online dashboard comparing legislatively appropriated amounts with executive branch expenditures for the two storms.
  • OSBM monitoring: OSBM will perform ongoing financial monitoring of NCORR (via Office of Internal Audit or staff).
  • Appropriation to State Fire Marshal: $1,500,000 from SERDRF for emergency operations center supplies/equipment and new office space.
  • Supersedes prior reporting/auditing requirements where conflicting.

Who is affected

  • Primary: NCORR (Office of Recovery and Resiliency); homeowners awaiting recovery funds for Hurricanes Matthew and Florence; Housing Finance Agency; Office of the State Auditor; OSBM; Office of State Fire Marshal.
  • Secondary: Division of Emergency Management, Governor’s Recovery Office for Western NC, local governments and program contractors involved in recovery projects.

Fiscal and timeline highlights

  • $217,000,000 appropriation (SERDRF) for FY 2025–2026 to complete homeowner recovery projects.
  • $1.5 million appropriation to Office of State Fire Marshal.
  • Reporting begins immediately after enactment (monthly cadence); Auditor initial submission within 7 business days, weekly thereafter; eligibility re‑review due within 30 days.
  • Any remaining funds after project completion revert to the Savings Reserve.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Improves legislative visibility into recovery spending and may accelerate household closings by funding remaining needs and requiring close monitoring.
  • Increases administrative and audit workload for NCORR, the State Auditor, and OSBM (frequent reporting and weekly submissions).
  • Clawback provision returns unused funds to the Savings Reserve, potentially minimizing long‑term budget carryforward.
  • The bill also modifies NCORR’s future role in administering certain CDBG‑DR awards (details partially truncated), which could shift responsibility/administration of future recovery grants.

For a copy of the bill text and the committee substitute language, consult the North Carolina General Assembly bill file (House Bill 222, 2025 session).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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