Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has introduced comprehensive bi-partisan legislation to extend the NFIP for six years and to introduce sweeping flood insurance reforms. The bill was also sponsored by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) along with Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), all members of the Senate Banking and Appropriations Committees that are ultimately charged with writing the NFIP reauthorization legislation, and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).
Among other things, this legislation encourages pre-disaster mitigation and prevention, which not only protects the NFIP but also the lives and property of Americans. According to FEMA, “The White House’s proposed cuts to the FEMA’s budget would seriously undermine the nation’s ability to prepare for and recover from disasters. The 2018 budget proposes eliminating the National Flood Insurance Program’s Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program, which is vital for communities seeking to understand climate risks and take protective measures. The budget also cuts funding for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program by nearly 61 percent. The program helps states, local governments and communities plan and implement long-term measures to reduce the risks and losses from disasters.”
Please contact your lawmakers, especially if you are represented by those outside of Florida, and let them know that funding for pre-disaster mitigation must not be cut. It is far wiser, safer and more economical to prepare in advance of a disaster than to pay for a costly recovery.
This bill is building support, and we will be watching it closely. Below is a link to Sen. Mendendez’s press release, and within the release is a link to a section-by-section summary of the legislation. The mark-up of the House legislation was to take place this afternoon but has been postponed.
The Sustainable, Affordable, Fair, and Efficient (SAFE) NFIP reauthorization act 2017-Menendez