Beshear Signs Bill Unlocking $100M for KY Flood Recovery

Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 544 into law on Monday, April 1, 2025, creating the State Aid Funding for Emergencies (SAFE 4860) fund—named for the federal disaster declaration code tied to recent Kentucky flooding. The new law doubles the annual funding cap from $50 million to $100 million over two years, granting the governor immediate access to deploy emergency relief statewide. Existing balances from the Eastern Kentucky SAFE and Western Kentucky SAFE funds, totaling about $45 million, can now transfer into SAFE 4860 to bolster recovery in the Jackson Purchase region, including hard-hit counties like Graves, Hickman and Ballard still grappling with 2025 flood damage.

The legislation specifies eligible uses such as disaster response, infrastructure repairs and community rebuilding, while introducing accountability measures. These include reporting requirements from the state budget director and Department of Education, plus options to structure some funds as repayable loans based on usage. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Guysborough, celebrated the approval, crediting bipartisan lawmakers for streamlining relief mechanisms amid Kentucky's recurring flood threats.

This funding arrives as western Kentucky communities continue long-term recovery from the 2025 floods, which devastated farmland, homes and businesses in the Jackson Purchase—a fertile, low-lying area along the Mississippi River and Purchase Parkway. Beshear expressed gratitude to legislators, emphasizing the bill's role in fortifying the state's resilience against future disasters. The immediate effect of the law positions Kentucky to address pressing needs without awaiting federal aid delays.