FRANKFORT, Ky. — One month after deadly tornadoes struck Western Kentucky, new legislation is moving ahead to help pay for recovery efforts in the region. 

What You Need To Know

  • House Bill 5 passed a House committee Monday

  • It sets aside $200 million in tornado relief funds

  • $45 million would be available immediately upon the governor's signature, according to the Speaker of the House

  • Funding would go toward temporary housing, transportation costs for displaced students and wraparound services for school children

Rep. Richard Heath (R, Mayfield) appeared before a legislative committee Monday to talk about House Bill 5, which sets up a fund to help those impacted by the Dec. tornadoes. 

"On behalf of the people of the area that’s affected, we appreciate your support and your prayers ... and request that you join with us in supporting this bill today," he said. "It’s going to take a little while to get back to normal, but the process has started."

Rep. Brandon Reed (R, Hodgenville) said the bill provides $200 million for the people of Western Kentucky. 

"The General Assembly will be providing $45 million in immediate relief and $155 million to be spent as the needs are to be determined," he said. 

Lawmakers said it was the amount requested by the governor, who mentioned fast-track legislation in his State of the Commonwealth address last week. 

Money would go toward temporary housing, transportation for displaced students and wraparound services for school children, including mental health counseling, according to the bill. 

Rep. Myron Dossett (R, Pembroke) said his granddaughter was watching weather reports over the weekend.

"Her question continuously over and over, 'Is that another storm coming?' so I’m very appreciative of that," he said, referring to the mental health counseling language in the bill. 

Heath shared that his granddaughter, a kindergartner, had been drawing pictures of tornadoes. 

"It's amazing what they pick up on," he said. "You don’t even realize it." 

House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy (R, Paducah) said lawmakers are looking to fill in the gaps from what’s covered by FEMA and insurance. 

"It’s certainly unprecedented times, but to see that the entire state, the entire nation and quite honestly, God’s entire creation is pulling together, we’ve had resources come in and it has truly restored my hope in humanity," he said. 

The bill passed the House committee and moves next to the full House for a vote. 

House Speaker David Osborne (R, Prospect) said $45 million would be available immediately upon the governor’s signature. 

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