Congress Still Exploring Fix for Flood Insurance Expenses

Since the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 ended subsidies that held down flood insurance rates for more than a million homeowners across the United States, homeowners around the country have struggled to adjust to the resulting rate increases.

According to an article by Ramsey Cox, the Senate is proceeding with legislation that will delay a required increase in flood insurance premiums.

“The bill delays a required increase in flood insurance premiums for some homes, and would allow homeowners to maintain existing flood insurance subsidies even after their homes are sold.” Supporters of the bill say these changes are needed while the government studies whether homeowners can afford these higher costs.

“The bill would delay this trigger until the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does an affordability study. FEMA would also have to certify that its flood maps are accurate — a process that FEMA has said could take three years.”

But like most federal legislation, the Senate version is expected to meet resistance in the House: “With nine Republican cosponsors, the legislation is expected to pass in the Senate, but it’s unclear if Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will allow a vote in the House.”