HJR220ENROLLED Page 0 HJR220 HGW4G88-2 By Representatives Holk-Jones, Givens, Fidler, Shirey, Pringle, Brown, Stringer, Wilcox, Drummond, Clarke, Bracy, Jones, Baker RFD: Rules First Read: 08-Apr-25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 HJR220 Enrolled Page 1 First Read: 08-Apr-25 Enrolled, An Act, EXPRESSING THE WILL OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE REGARDING THE STATE OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE IN COASTAL ALABAMA. WHEREAS, the economic vitality of Alabama's coastal region remains a cornerstone of the state's financial health, including attracting more than 11 million visitors to the state annually, creating nearly 100,000 related jobs for our citizens, and generating almost $10 billion annually in tourism-related spending; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Coastal Commercial Insurance Joint Interim Study Commission has underscored the mounting instability in the availability and affordability of commercial property insurance in coastal areas, placing at risk the resilience of businesses, the integrity of the tourism industry, and the economic security of the state as a whole; and WHEREAS, historical and modeled data demonstrate that the financial exposure of the state to catastrophic weather events is neither speculative nor abstract, but a measurable, recurring, and intensifying fiscal reality, with potential tax revenue losses exceeding $400,000,000 over a two-year, post-storm recovery period; and WHEREAS, the Legislature acknowledges the necessity of continuing exploration and discussion regarding a range of potential state-level interventions, including, but not limited to, a state-supported reinsurance or risk pooling 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 HJR220 Enrolled Page 2 limited to, a state-supported reinsurance or risk pooling program that could include evaluating mechanisms to stabilize the coastal commercial insurance market through state-backed reinsurance, risk-sharing agreements, or catastrophe bonds to distribute financial exposure more broadly across the insurance industry; and WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor should examine targeted tax credits or grants for businesses that invest in wind-resistant construction, fortified roofing, flood mitigation insurance, and other forms of risk mitigation to reduce overall insurance claims and premium volatility; and WHEREAS, the Legislature may request that the Governor and the Alabama Department of Insurance review insurance industry practices related to rate setting, claim denials and policy nonrenewals within the coastal zones, and help further ensure transparency and accountability in underwriting decisions that impact Alabama businesses; and WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor should assess the feasibility of broadening the coverage scope of the Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association's Wind Pool to try to enhance affordability and help further streamline claims processing for commercial properties; and WHEREAS, the State of Alabama should further explore using state-administered contingency funds or loan programs to aid businesses in post-disaster recovery, which would help prevent prolonged economic stagnation and massive tax revenue losses; and WHEREAS, the Legislature should consider strengthening construction standards and zoning policies in 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 HJR220 Enrolled Page 3 strengthening construction standards and zoning policies in high-risk areas to promote resilient development and help minimize future long-term insurance risks; and WHEREAS, the Governor should extend the scope and work of the Alabama Coastal Commercial Insurance Joint Interim Study Commission to help refine proposed solutions, further engage stakeholders, and provide annual assessments of market conditions and economic impact; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the findings of the Alabama Coastal Commercial Insurance Joint Interim Study Commission are acknowledged with great interest, and that this body remains committed to fostering an environment conducive to further study, stakeholder engagement, and prudent policy development aimed at securing the long-term economic and insurance stability of coastal Alabama. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be provided to the Governor, the Alabama Department of Insurance, and other relevant stakeholders as a formal expression of this body's unwavering attention to this matter. 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 HJR220 Enrolled Page 4 this matter. ________________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives ________________________________________________ President and Presiding Officer of the Senate House of Representatives I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and was passed by the House 10-Apr-25. John Treadwell Clerk Senate 24-Apr-25 Adopted 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109