Pennsylvania flood insurance task force releases final report
A state task force on flood insurance has issued a final report with recommendations for making flood insurance more accessible and affordable.
On
“The Task Force believes these recommendations will enable the Commonwealth to effectively tackle challenges concerning flood risk throughout
“Pennsylvania is one of the most flood-prone states in the nation, and recovery is often a years-long effort,” said PEMA Director
Task force recommendations
Some task force recommendations include:
* Enhancing flood insurance education and outreach.
* Enacting legislation to provide tax credits or deductions for costs incurred by homeowners for making repairs to make their homes more flood-resistant or adding other mitigation measures (such as moving appliances) that better protect it from flood damage.
* Incorporating a minimum of two hours of continuing education courses for insurance producers and real estate agents and a minimum of one hour for mortgage lenders that specifically targets flood risk and insurance.
* Enhancing coverage for water damage.
* Incorporating flood resiliency into building codes.
* Proposing a Pennsylvania Flood Insurance Relief Act.
* Expanding grant funding within PEMA.
Community ratings, homebuyer protections
The task force also recommends establishing an
In CRS communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s efforts to reduce and avoid flood damage. Several presenters at task force meetings expressed frustration with the complexity, length of time and extensive resources necessary to become a CRS community.
Currently, there are only 1,500 CRS communities nationwide and less than 30 in
A final task force recommendation is improving required disclosures during the home-buying process.
The recommendations are informed by information gathered at five public meetings held over the last six months that included a public comment period, agency collaboration, external stakeholder engagement, and discussions and presentations from experts in the field.
Lawmaker support
“The many destructive weather events experienced across
"This is a crucial juncture for us to consider some fundamental changes before our situation deteriorates into crisis. There are broad questions about flood protections, mitigation measures, and financial coverage that require practical and effective answers. This task force was a good avenue for giving all sides the chance to participate, raising the discussion above partisan or philosophical considerations,” Baker said.
State Rep.
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