A bill to provide financial relief to businesses damaged in the December storm got the green light Tuesday to move forward.

Sen. Craig Hickman (D-Winthrop) sponsored the after-deadline bill in response to the massive Dec. 18 wind and rainstorm that knocked out power to more than 500,000 statewide and led to the deaths of four Mainers.

“My entire district has been ravaged by the devastating December storm,” Hickman said in a statement. “I have heard from multiple constituents who own small businesses who are fearful of what closing during the busiest time of the year could mean for them and their employees in the months to come. Some businesses rely on their profits during the holiday shopping season to carry them through the majority of the year.”

Hickman’s district covers 12 cities and towns in Kennebec County, including areas hard-hit by the storm such as Hallowell and Gardiner.

In those cities, and in nearby Augusta, the Kennebec River flooded downtowns, damaging restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores.

Hickman said he believes in “the state’s duty to support these businesses and ensure the stability of local economies.”

Now that the bill has been approved for consideration, it will be referred to a committee for a public hearing.