Local Rep's Bill Targets Cost Of Flood Insurance

HARRISBURG, PA — Rep. Perry Warren, who represents Lower Makefield and Yardley in the state House, is making progress with a bill aimed at helping reduce the cost of flood insurance.

Warren's bill, which would create a Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, was unanimously approved Tuesday by the House Insurance Committee and now goes to the full House for consideration.

House Bill 70 is designed to address issues arisng from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's redrawing of its flood maps. The redrawing required more Pennsylvania properties to carry flood insurance.

Its goal was to protect homeowners from financial harm and emotional distress caused by flooding. But many, including lawmakers, feel it has hurt homeowners and communities in flood plains, some of whom struggle to pay rising flood insurance premiums and have seen diminished property values.

"The increasing number of homes required to have flood insurance has had a deleterious effect on homeowners' finances, local property values and our communities' economies," Warren said. "My legislation would address the problem of rising premiums through the establishment of a Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force."

The task force, Warren said, would help reduce costs by recommending programs that could provide premium discounts and supporting programs the encourage local governments to work on flood-mitigation efforts.

Warren, a Democrat, represents Lower Makefield Township, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Yardley Borough and Morrisville.

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