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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 20, 2019 03:04 PM
From:	Senator Steven J. Santarsiero
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Combating the Rising Cost of Flood Insurance

In the past several years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated its flood mapping to include many properties that previously did not require flood insurance. As a result, whole communities along Pennsylvania's rivers and creeks could be devastated by plummeting property values due to unaffordable flood insurance premiums. Given that Pennsylvania is one of the most flood-prone states in the country due to flash flooding, I plan to introduce legislation to address how we can best assist residents affected by the rising cost of flood insurance. While premiums continue to rise due to major storms and underfunding that has left FEMA in debt, my legislation would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and provide recommendations to: 1) Identify programs that provide premium discounts; 2) Create incentives for local governments to undertake or continue flood mitigation efforts; and 3) Implement necessary changes in the State’s administration of flood insurance. I hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this important measure to ensure flood insurance affordability for all Pennsylvanians. If you have any questions, please contact Cory Smith at 717-783-8235.

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