Louisiana Senate Bill SCR93

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/7/19
• Refer: 5/8/19
• Report Pass: 5/20/19
• Passed: 5/21/19
• Engrossed: 5/21/19
• Refer: 5/22/19
• Report Pass: 5/29/19

Caption

Requests the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to form a subcommittee to coordinate the state's involvement in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Impact

The resolution highlights the importance of the NFIP in encouraging better floodplain management and providing education for communities at risk. Louisiana has a significant number of actively enrolled policies, illustrating the reliance on this program for flood insurance coverage. The proposed subcommittee would work to analyze potential changes to the NFIP and their implications for insurability in coastal areas, thus showing a proactive approach towards managing flood risks and promoting community preparedness.

Summary

SCR93 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from Louisiana that urges the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to form a subcommittee focused on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP was established to provide financial assistance and flood insurance to communities at risk of flooding, particularly after devastating events like Hurricane Betsy. This resolution recognizes the ongoing flood risks Louisiana faces and the need for enhanced strategies to manage and reduce the economic impact of flooding, particularly on coastal communities that are increasingly vulnerable due to climate change and intensified weather conditions.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SCR93 is predominantly supportive, as it aims to tackle the pressing issue of flood management through coordinated efforts among various state agencies. Stakeholders, including business groups and levee districts, have been actively engaged in discussions related to the NFIP, underscoring the collective recognition of the challenges posed by flooding. The resolution positions Louisiana to take a more active role in advocating for crucial reforms to the NFIP, which can directly influence the well-being of coastal communities.

Contention

While SCR93 enjoys broad support, there could be underlying contention regarding how effective the proposed measures will be in addressing the actual risks faced by coastal communities. The complexities involved in flood risk assessment, insurance program changes, and the coordination between multiple state agencies and federal entities like FEMA may lead to challenges in implementation. Questions may arise over the allocation of resources, effectiveness of the proposed reforms, and the ability to truly enhance flood preparedness and response efforts in the face of changing environmental conditions.