Committee increases Disaster Assistance Trust Fund access for state emergency response

The Appropriations Committee approved a strike‑all to House Bill 1646 that increases the limits on withdrawals from the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund, authorizing the state to provide larger immediate assistance through DFA and MIMA in the event of natural disasters.

The chair explained the change would permit access to $2.5 million per occurrence and up to $5 million annually from the working cash/stabilization (rainy day) fund for disaster response, replacing the current $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual caps. As an example, the chair cited a recent ice storm as the type of event that would benefit from the higher cap.

Senators noted other floating requests and appropriations under consideration to help MIMA with existing deficits; the committee adopted the strike‑all and passed the bill by voice vote.

Next steps: The measure proceeds in the legislative process and may be coordinated with other disaster‑related appropriations.