Bilirakis secures $14.625M in House-passed federal grants for Hernando infrastructure

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis announced that three appropriations bills passed by the U.S. House include $14,625,000 in federal grant funding for projects across Florida’s 12th Congressional District, with those allocations contingent on approval by the U.S. Senate and the President before any funds are final. The Bilirakis office release and a local report state the package targets infrastructure, public safety, education and research across Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

Local details reported for Hernando County in the appropriations text include two explicit line items. Suncoastnews identified "Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Advanced Forensics Tools and Equipment Upgrades: $2.875 million to support digital and biological forensic tools, strengthening investigative capabilities and enhancing community safety." The same report lists "Hernando County Centralized Sewer System: $750,000 to help construct lift stations needed to decommission outdated RV sewer treatment package plants and connect them to a centralized sewer system, improving efficiency, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability." Those two Hernando items compute to $3.625 million of the $14.625 million district package.

The congressman’s release framed the package as broad district investments. "These projects represent mission-critical investments that strengthen public safety, protect public health, support students, safeguard our environment, and prepare our communities for future growth," Congressman Bilirakis added in the House release. Bilirakis reiterated the point in a Facebook post, writing that he was "proud to secure more than $14.6 million in federal grant funding for critical infrastructure projects in our community," while noting the measures still require Senate and presidential action.

One earlier local headline and an original report claimed Hernando County would receive more than $20 million in FY2026 grants, a figure not reflected in the Bilirakis release or the Suncoastnews itemization. The >$20 million Hernando claim remains uncorroborated in the two primary cited sources; the verified totals in the available excerpts are the $14,625,000 districtwide figure and the $3.625 million of Hernando-specific line items.

The Bilirakis release also highlights a Pasco County project in general terms, stating: "This project will reduce water waste, ensure regulatory compliance, protect public health, and support Pasco County’s goal of operating infrastructure systems in a safe, compliant, and cost-efficient manner." The release and local reporting likewise reference advancing lifesaving medical research and supporting students as part of the appropriations package, though neither source supplies additional institutional names or dollar amounts in the excerpts provided.

To be enacted, the appropriations must clear the Senate and receive the President’s signature; the sources make clear no funds have yet been distributed. The verified filings from Bilirakis’ office and Suncoastnews identify $14.625 million in House-passed grants for the 12th District and two Hernando line items totaling $3.625 million; any larger Hernando total, including the >$20 million claim, awaits confirmation from the full appropriations text or additional official documentation.