Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee

WINDSTORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE REPORT

Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee Report

CS/HB 1-A, passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2007 Special Session and signed into law by the Governor on January 25, called for the creation of a Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee.

The study committee consists of 8 members, with the Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Senate President and Speaker of the House each making two appointments. Each member must be knowledgeable about mitigation issues and at least one member must represent homeowners’ interests. The first meeting must be held before February 9, 2007.

The Department of Financial Services, Office of Insurance Regulation, and Citizens Property Insurance Corporation must supply meeting facilities, information and technical assistance.

The Department of Financial Services will administratively support the study committee and its members.

The study committee is charged with analyzing short- and long-term solutions and programs that address our need to immediately and effectively mitigate homes, including:

Availability of inspections and grants
Full actuarial value to be reflected in premium credits for mitigation
Effective ways to inform policyholders about obtaining mitigation credits
Coordination among federal, local and private initiatives
Streamlining or strengthening applicable state, regional and local regulations.
Enhancing public and private mitigation efforts
Available funding sources for mitigation, including tax incentives
Consumer information and research on benefits of mitigation

The study committee must make recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Financial Officer and Insurance Commissioner by March 6, 2007.