Tuesday, June 27, 2006                                                                                       Printable Version (PDF)

 

 

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-5) offered two amendments to the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act, which were adopted by the full House of Representatives and included in the legislation.  These amendments will further strengthen the legislation as Congress moves to shore up the flood insurance program to improve its solvency and long term stability.

 

 

Click here to view Congresswoman Matsui offer the amendment on Weather Forecasting

Click here to view Congresswoman Matsui offer the amendment on the Study of Low Income Participation in NFIP

 

“These are common sense amendments that will further strengthen and improve our nation’s flood insurance program.  I am pleased that they will be included in the legislation,” stated Congresswoman Matsui.  “We need to be harnessing all that technology offers to ensure we are using the highest quality information as updated flood maps are crafted.  Additionally, as we craft these new maps we need to understand the impact they will have on low-income homeowners participating in the program.  Having a flood insurance policy when you live in a flood plain is important and we need to remove the impediments to purchasing a policy.”

 

Congresswoman Matsui’s first amendment makes certain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) incorporates weather forecasting technologies as the agency updates our national flood maps.  This means that FEMA will have the best information to determine the level of risk for vulnerable communities.  The second amendment directs the Government Accountability Office to study the potential methods, practices and incentives that would increase the number of low-income property owners living in flood plains who participate in the NFIP.  Congress will reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 2008 and acquiring this information is an important step to address the needs of low income individuals who live in the flood plain.

 

The Senate is expected to consider similar legislation in the near future.  Following which the House and Senate versions of the legislation will need to be reconciled, approved by both Chambers and signed by the president.

 

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