2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 93
BY SENATOR MORRISH AND REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to form a
subcommittee to coordinate the state's involvement in the National Flood Insurance
Program.
WHEREAS, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created in 1968 in
response to Hurricane Betsy to address the nation's financial exposure as a result of flooding
and rebuilding after natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, NFIP was created within the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) to address the policy objectives of identifying flood risk, offering affordable
insurance premiums to encourage program participation, and promoting community-based
floodplain management; and
WHEREAS, NFIP helps communities at risk of flooding better prepare by requiring
stronger floodplain management standards and incentivizing mitigation to discourage risky
business in harm's way; and
WHEREAS, the five hundred thousand active NFIP policies in Louisiana were
valued at $132 billion in 2018; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's total loss payments from NFIP were $19.57 billion in 2018;
and
WHEREAS, Louisiana continues to face increased flood risk from intensified
weather events and subsequent flooding, producing more expensive flood damages, and
higher flood insurance costs within an already vulnerable coast; and
WHEREAS, impacts of coastal land loss and increasing storm vulnerability are not
just to the physical landscape, but to the economic and financial landscapes as well; and
WHEREAS, changes to the coastal environment can be slow, insurance and financial
decisions can change rapidly and have immediate impacts on coastal communities; and
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WHEREAS, Louisiana must take greater initiative to prepare coastal communities
for flooding events and reduce the financial burden of flood disasters on coastal
communities; and
WHEREAS, the economic implications of flooding require coordination at the local,
state, and federal levels as well as across multiple state agencies; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana requires that all parishes and municipalities participate in and
comply with all applicable provisions of federal floodplain management and flood insurance
programs; and
WHEREAS, flood risks and potential changes to flood insurance will create changes
throughout Louisiana, but the coastal area will be particularly impacted; and
WHEREAS, coalitions of business groups and affected industries, and coalitions
supported by Louisiana levee districts have been active in this issue; and
WHEREAS, the issue of flood insurance and the NFIP is too important for the state
to remain on the sidelines; and
WHEREAS, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board (Board) is
tasked to represent the state's position in policy relative to protection, conservation,
enhancement, and restoration of the coastal area of the state; and
WHEREAS, the Board is composed of multiple agencies and stakeholder groups
uniquely qualified to assess the potential impacts of changes to the NFIP to the state and
authorized to create a subcommittee when the necessary instance arises.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board to form a
subcommittee to analyze and assess the National Flood Insurance Program and potential
changes to that program as well as the implications of those changes for the insurability of
coastal communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subcommittee of the Board shall include but
not be limited to representatives from the Division of Administration, the Department of
Transportation and Development, the Department of Insurance, the Governor's Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority, and the Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this flood insurance subcommittee should:
A. Rely on the latest and most scientifically-reliable available data and technology
related to flood risk in coastal Louisiana.
B. Collaborate with FEMA in regard to recently proposed changes of the NFIP as
well as with local actors and entities immersed in the work of coastal community flood
insurance on behalf of the state of Louisiana.
C. Discuss and evaluate proposed reforms to the NFIP and make recommendations
for consideration in updates to the NFIP relevant to flood risk and insurance programs within
the purview of Louisiana's vulnerable coast.
D. Engage with the flood insurance industry to further explore the evaluation and
communication of risk in the coastal area, the risk reduction attributes of the 2017 Coastal
Master Plan, and opportunities to work together to reduce risk and the financial burdens of
flooding and recovery.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chair of the Board shall chair the National
Flood Insurance Subcommittee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chair of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority for distribution to the Board.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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