U.S. SENATE VOTES TO RENEW FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM:

The U.S. Senate passed legislation by unanimous consent on June 15 that reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years. The reauthorization was part of S. 2238, which reforms the program. The measure now goes to the House, where a vote is expected next week. The House had previously passed H.R. 253, which reforms and reauthorizes the NFIP. Insurers and agent groups were strongly urging the House to take action on the bill as the June 30 deadline approached. In 2002, Congress adjourned without reauthorizing this vital program, leaving it in limbo for part of January 2003. Industry groups said action was needed to ensure this does not happen again. The Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenaur Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 (S. 2238) would impose actuarial risk-based rates for flood insurance on property owners who have had two or more NFIP claims paid out by FEMA and who have refused buyouts, elevation or other flood mitigation measures funded by FEMA. Congress had passed two temporary authorizations for the program this year to give the Senate time to address proposed reforms. About 95 percent of the flood insurance sold in the United States is backed by the National Flood Insurance Program.