Louisiana House Bill HCR182

Louisiana 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/24/12
• Engrossed: 5/28/12
• Passed: 5/30/12

Caption

Urges and requests the division of administration, office of community development, to require individuals who receive grant awards for individual mitigation measures accomplish those measures within one year of the award

Impact

The impact of HCR182 could lead to more effective disaster preparedness and recovery efforts in Louisiana by reducing the time frame within which homeowners must implement mitigation measures. By shortening the compliance period from three years to one year, the resolution aims to enhance the effectiveness of awarded funds, ensuring they are utilized to prevent future storm damage more rapidly. This change would likely benefit taxpayers as well, by potentially decreasing the state's long-term disaster recovery costs.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 182 urges the Louisiana Division of Administration's Office of Community Development to mandate that individuals who receive grant awards for individual mitigation measures complete those measures within one year of the award. The resolution is based on research indicating that investing in hazard mitigation can yield significant savings in potential disaster-related losses. Specifically, it emphasizes the program's relevance in the context of Louisiana's experience with hurricanes and the extensive damage suffered during past disasters, particularly Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR182 is largely positive among legislators, reflecting a collective recognition of the importance of timely action in disaster mitigation. The resolution was passed unanimously in the Senate, which suggests strong bipartisan support for improving disaster preparedness measures. However, there may be concerns regarding the feasibility of such a swift implementation for all homeowners, particularly those who may struggle with financial or logistical challenges in completing the necessary mitigation work promptly.

Contention

While HCR182 has broad support, notable points of contention could arise around the practical implications of enforcing a one-year completion timeline for homeowners receiving grant awards. Questions may be raised regarding the monitoring and compliance processes established by the Office of Community Development, especially considering the varying capacities of homeowners to meet such requirements. Failure to comply within the designated timeframe could result in loss of funding, which might disproportionately affect lower-income individuals or those facing unforeseen challenges.