PRINTER'S NO. 428
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
44
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY SANTARSIERO, CAPPELLETTI, HUGHES, FONTANA, KANE,
STREET, MUTH AND COMITTA, MARCH 14, 2023
REFERRED TO BANKING AND INSURANCE, MARCH 14, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an
advisory committee to conduct a study on how to best assist
residents of this Commonwealth who have been impacted by
rising flood insurance premiums.
WHEREAS, Floods and hurricanes are a serious threat to this
Commonwealth by causing a loss of life and considerable physical
and economic damage to communities; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is one of the most flood-prone
states in our country due to flash flooding; and
WHEREAS, More than 350,000 Pennsylvanians live in flood-risk
areas; and
WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management
Agency, 14 Federal disasters were declared for floods,
hurricanes and severe storms in this Commonwealth from 2003 to
2018, costing taxpayers nearly $1.2 billion in Federal
assistance; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, the Congress of the United States enacted
amendments to 42 U.S.C. ยงยง 2414(e) and 4001 et seq. (National
Flood Insurance Act of 1968) that have caused steep increases in
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flood insurance premiums to pay for the increase in spending on
the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood disaster
assistance program; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Emergency Management Agency has recently
revised its flood mapping to include many properties that
previously did not require flood insurance; and
WHEREAS, Whole communities along this Commonwealth's rivers
and creeks could be devastated by plummeting property values due
to unaffordable flood insurance premiums; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for a comprehensive review of how to
best assist the residents of this Commonwealth who have been
impacted by rising flood insurance premiums; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
Commission to establish an advisory committee consisting of, but
not limited to, the following individuals:
(1) The Insurance Commissioner or the commissioner's
designee.
(2) The Secretary of Banking and Securities or the
secretary's designee.
(3) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development
or the secretary's designee.
(4) The Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources
or the secretary's designee.
(5) The Secretary of Environmental Protection or the
secretary's designee.
(6) The Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency or the director's designee.
(7) A representative of local governments.
(8) A representative of insurance groups.
(9) A representative of property owners.
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(10) Representatives from other Commonwealth departments
or other entities that the Joint State Government Commission
deems appropriate in conducting the study on the
administration of flood insurance.
(11) Any other individuals with knowledge and expertise
in matters involving the administration of flood insurance;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, in
collaboration with the advisory committee, conduct a study and
present a report that, at a minimum, includes all of the
following:
(1) A review and analysis of the law, procedures,
practices, processes and rules relating to the administration
of flood insurance.
(2) Potential programs that provide premium discounts.
(3) Potential programs, whether through the mechanism of
premium discounts or other relief, that create incentives for
local governments to undertake or continue flood mitigation
efforts.
(4) Policy recommendations and proposed legislation to
implement necessary changes in the laws of this Commonwealth
and practices, policies and procedures relating to the
administration of flood insurance.
(5) Methods to educate residents of this Commonwealth
about the risk of flooding and ways to mitigate flood
occurrences.
(6) Steps that the Commonwealth should take to inform
residents of this Commonwealth about the options available to
residents when purchasing flood insurance.
(7) Methods to increase the purchase of flood insurance
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through the National Flood Insurance Program or the private
flood insurance market.
(8) Any other matters deemed appropriate by the Joint
State Government Commission;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the report include recommendations identifying
programs to provide premium discounts and necessary changes
relating to the administration of flood insurance; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission form the
advisory committee within three months of the adoption of this
resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission present
its report and recommendations to the Senate no later than one
year after the adoption of this resolution.
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