SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16

(By Senators Edgell, Kessler (Mr. President), Unger, Plymale, Stollings, D. Hall, Jenkins and Fitzsimmons)

Expressing the support of the Legislature of urging Congress to revise the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.

    Whereas, In 1968, the United States Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program, allowing the purchase of flood insurance as an alternative to disaster relief; and

    Whereas, This program is now deeply in debt following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy; and

    Whereas, In 2012, the United States Congress passed the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 to bolster the National Flood Insurance Program; and

    Whereas, Due to this act, many West Virginia residents and businesses have seen their flood insurance premiums greatly increase; and

    Whereas, Many of those affected by increasing flood insurance premiums have historically lived outside of a recognized floodplain; and

    Whereas, Floodplain maps are created and administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, located outside of West Virginia; and

    Whereas, There is a large cost being placed on West Virginia

cities and property owners to appeal the incorrect maps; and

    Whereas, Traditionally, flood insurance rates have been regionally based, where similar risk factors and like properties are insured; and

    Whereas, There is a distinct difference between inland flooding in West Virginia, which often results in permanent residences being cleaned and rehabbed, and coastal flooding, which primarily affects vacation homes that are completely lost; and

    Whereas, Under the new law, inland areas and coastal regions are insured together; and

    Whereas, This has caused property owners of low-risk primary residences to subsidize flood insurance for vacation homes that are intentionally built in high-risk coastal areas; and

    Whereas, While this act is laudable in its intent, it has resulted in an unfair burden and hardship placed on West Virginia residents and businesses; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Legislature expresses the support of urging Congress to revise the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby strongly urges the United States Congress to revisit and revise the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, in hopes that the unfair burden and hardship placed on West Virginia residents and businesses can be removed; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to members of the West Virginia congressional delegation, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.