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House Committee Reports Out Bill Creating Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force

On March 18, the House Insurance Committee amended and reported out House Bill 328 (Warren-D- Bucks) establishing a Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force (sponsor summary).

Rep. Perry Warren (D-Bucks) said on introducing the bill, “Within recent years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has revised its flood maps to require many more properties in Pennsylvania to hold flood insurance.

“While flood insurance is meant to mitigate the financial harm and help lessen the emotional devastation caused by floods, more and more Pennsylvanians require assistance with paying for their flood insurance due to rising premiums.

“This increases the overall annual cost of owning a house in a floodplain, thereby making properties in these areas less attractive to potential buyers. Many communities along Pennsylvania's rivers and creeks are at risk of reduced property sales and values due to rising flood insurance premiums.

“To better identify and address this issue, my bill would establish the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force. The task force would issue recommendations regarding potential programs that provide premium discounts, programs that incentivize local governments to support flood mitigation efforts and the implementation of any necessary changes to state statute or policy regarding the administration of flood insurance.”

The amendment was technical in nature. The bill now goes to the full House for action.

Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Tioga) serves as Majority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-783-8238 or sending email to: tpickett@pahousegop.com. Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Allegheny) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1011 or sending email to: tdeluca@pahouse.net.

For more information on flood maps, visit DCED’s Pennsylvania Flood Maps webpage.

(Photo: Flood map of Harrisburg.)

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