read Read

e-mail E-mailprint Print

NATURAL CATASTROPHE EXPOSURES

WIND HAZARD REDUCTION LEGISLATION

THE ISSUE IS. The creation of a National Wind Related Hazard Reduction Program to find ways to reduce losses caused by high winds from hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe storms.

IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE. Severe windstorms, including hurricanes and tornadoes, cause dozens of deaths and billions of dollars in property damage each year. Currently, there is no comprehensive federal program in place to try to minimize these losses before they occur. Two organizations, the Wind Hazard Reduction Caucus in Congress and the Wind Hazard Reduction Coalition in the private sector, are working to establish a program to find out how to minimize the loss of life and property and help homeowners to implement these mitigation measures before severe windstorms occur.

Congress has considered legislation to provide for coordination of federal wind hazard reduction efforts through a multi-agency National Windstorm and Related Natural Hazard Impact Reduction Program to be coordinated through the Office of Science and Technology Policy, establish a wind hazard reduction technology transfer program and create a National Advisory Committee for Windstorm and Related Natural Hazards Impact Reduction. The proposal would also provide for the creation of a list of areas where wind hazard reduction research and development can make a significant impact on loss reduction and require transmission of a 10 year implementation plan to Congress with measurable goals to be coordinated with representatives of state and local government and the private sector, including annual progress updates. Finally, the legislation would authorize appropriation levels to bring the wind program closer to parity with the federally funded earthquake research program. All aspects of the program would be linked to the goal of a major, measurable reduction in losses of life and property due to windstorms within 10 years of the date of enactment.

The House also passed H.R. 3980, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act that was introduced by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX). The bill would have created a program to improve the understanding of windstorm impacts and develops and encourages implementation of cost-effective mitigation measures. This would have been achieved through efforts of a federal interagency working group in cooperation with state and locate governments, academia, and the private sector.

NAMIC POSITION. NAMIC is a member of the Wind Hazard Reduction Coalition and supports legislation that will ultimately reduce costly windstorm damage. NAMIC strongly believes that mitigation provisions are essential to minimize the loss of lives and property from catastrophes. Strong mitigation programs can help to reduce the need for other federal programs to fund catastrophe relief efforts after the events occur.

NAMIC believes that strict building codes should be used and enforced in catastrophe prone areas and is an active member of the Insurance Building Code Coalition. This coalition helps to educate the public and private sector about state building codes as a loss prevention strategy, promotes legislation in states with no statewide building codes and closely monitors any building code changes in the other states. The federal wind hazard reduction legislation will enhance these efforts by providing the means to find out which building materials and methods are most effective in preventing wind damage. NAMIC is also a member of the Institute for Business and Home Safety, an organization created to enhance and promote the use of building codes and other measures to ensure that structures are safe. NAMIC will continue to support efforts to assist individuals, businesses and communities to responsibly prepare for natural catastrophes.

powered by Google

Legislative Action Network

As a "minuteman," you will be in the know at the critical moment when a call to action is necessary or when decisions are being made on issues like federal regulation of insurance, legal reform, terrorism insurance, asbestos reform and small property/casualty company taxation.

Benjamin Franklin Public Policy Award

Every two years, NAMIC presents their coveted Benjamin Franklin Public Policy Award© to lawmakers who have supported a stronger insurance market at least 75 percent of the time. This is demonstrated based on their support of NAMIC's position on certain roll call votes taken, or being a principal player/sponsor on legislation affected the property/casualty insurance industry, during the previous Congress.