Perry Warren Calls For Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force

State Rep. Perry Warren (D-Bucks) has introduced a bill calling on the creation of a Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force in Pennsylvania.

"The task force would study the federal Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act’s effect on premiums for flood insurance, the latest FEMA flood maps that classify new flood zones and the federal discount program to identify areas and neighborhoods that need additional assistance to keep flood insurance premiums affordable," according to an announcement from Warren, a former Newtown Borough Councilman.

“Flood zones shift and can cause someone who didn’t need flood insurance before to now need it. That can cause a significant change in a homeowner’s budget,” Warren said. “We need to examine these issues closely.”

According to information from the National Flood Insurance Program provided by Warren, Pennsylvania is among the 10 highest states for flood insurance payouts between January 1978 and March 2011, ranking eighth at $773 million.

The bill, which has been referred to the House Insurance Committee, would require that the task force issue a final report within six months of its creation.