Memorializes the United States Congress to support passage of the Flood Insurance Affordability Act and the Risk Rating 2.0 Transparency Act
Impact
Should these acts be passed, they would seek to provide financial relief to homeowners living in high-risk flood zones in Louisiana by capping annual residential flood insurance premium increases at a more manageable rate of 9%, significantly down from the current 18%. The Risk Rating 2.0 Transparency Act further mandates FEMA to publish information related to premium rates, thereby enhancing transparency in the flood insurance process and ensuring policyholders are informed about the factors affecting their insurance costs.
Summary
HCR 125 is a concurrent resolution from the Louisiana State Legislature that memorializes the U.S. Congress to take actions necessary for the passage of the Flood Insurance Affordability Act and the Risk Rating 2.0 Transparency Act. This resolution arises from the pressing concerns faced by residents of Louisiana's coastal parishes who have been subjected to exorbitant flood insurance premiums exacerbated by repeated natural disasters, including hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida. The resolution aims to highlight the need for affordable and equitable flood insurance options for these vulnerable communities.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HCR 125 reflects a collective urgency for legislative reform aimed at addressing the financial burdens caused by flooding and related insurance challenges in Louisiana. Supporters of the resolution believe that these proposed acts are essential for safeguarding the financial interests of homeowners in coastal parishes, reducing the emotional toll from disasters, and enhancing the predictability of insurance costs in the wake of climate change and increasing natural disasters. Conversely, some skepticism exists regarding the efficacy of the proposed solutions and whether they sufficiently address the underlying issues driving insurance costs.
Contention
Notable points of contention include concerns that while the Flood Insurance Affordability Act seeks to cap premium increases, it may not fully alleviate the financial strains on homeowners who struggle to obtain affordable insurance in flood-prone areas. Furthermore, with the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0, critics worry that the lack of access to comprehensive data regarding rate setting may continue to disadvantage property owners. The resolution does not inherently mandate cost reductions but rather advocates for legislative action that many believe is overdue, given the historical and persistent flooding issues facing Louisiana.
Memorializes the United States Congress to end Risk Rating 2.0 and to take certain other necessary actions to alleviate the financial burden of flood insurance
Memorializes Congress to prevent unnecessary and unintended harm to coastal communities, individuals, and businesses by immediately amending the Biggert-Waters Act and mandating revision of FEMA flood-risk maps.
Urges and requests the Louisiana attorney general to seek legal relief against the Federal Emergency Management Agency's new pricing for the National Flood Insurance Program
Requests that the Bd. of Regents and the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education, with the Taylor Foundation, La. Office of Student Financial Assistance, public postsecondary education management boards, and certain others, study certain issues relative to TOPS
Requests the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to study employment practices and professional licensing requirements to benefit veterans in the workforce
Creates a task force to study meaningful oversight of the professional healthcare licensing boards statutorily created within the Department of Health and Hospitals.