Senate amendments make the following changes to the 4th edition.

Amendment #1 makes the following changes.

Section 2A.2

Modifies the permitted uses of the $20 million allocated to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) for distribution to State agencies and units of local government to include debris and sedimentation removal unmet needs (was, just debris removal unmet needs).

Amendment #2 adds the following and makes the following changes.

Section 5.8

Adds Swain County schools to those schools provided calendar flexibility for any instructional days or equivalent hours missed due to inclement weather during the months of December 2024 through February 2025.

Adds amendments to Section 12.1 of SL 2024-51 (Helene I) as follows. Modifies the end-date for the temporary change of the six-month separation requirement for Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) retirees to a one-month separation so it applies to individuals retiring on or after April 1, 2024, but before March 1, 2025 (the Retirement Period) (end-date was October 1, 2024), for those who return in a position needed due to Hurricane Helene or associated recovery efforts as certified to the Retirement Systems Division of the Department of State Treasurer by the employing agency. Makes conforming changes.

Amendment #3 adds the following.

Delays the effective date of the 2024 NC State Building Code (defined) to 12 months after the first day of the month following the date the State Fire Marshal certifies, by  letter to the Revisor of Statutes with copies sent to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, that both of the following events have occurred: (1) the Building Code and Residential Code Councils (Councils) have completed the listed publication and distribution requirements and (2) the Residential Code Council is fully constituted. Declares that nothing in the act abrogates the duties of the Councils during the delay. Expires 12 months after the first day of the month following the notification required by the State Fire Marshal.

Amendment #4 makes the following changes and adds the following.

Section 2F.1

Changes the definition of small business under the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program so that it means a business with a physical presence in the affected area that employs 150 (was, 50) or fewer employees.

Section 5.8

Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to provide, from the available funds appropriated in Section 6.1(a)(2) of Helene I, compensation  to public school  unit employees and contractors of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program for scheduled instructional days when  compensation would have been provided by school meal receipts or by federal funds  either (1) as authorized by the section, or (2) for a scheduled instructional day which  was provided remotely pursuant to Section 8.1(b) of Helene I. (Was, of the funds allocated to DPI from the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund to provide compensation to public school unit employees and contractors of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program under Section 8.1(b) of SL 2024-51, requires DPI to provide from funds available, compensation authorized by the section to public school unit employees and  contractors of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program for scheduled instructional days when compensation would have been provided by school meal receipts or by federal funds.)

Amendment #5 makes the following changes.

Section 2A.2

Increases the appropriation from the Helene Fund for the nine listed purposes by $2 million from $532,991,704 to $534,991,704.