(1) (a) The Windstorm
Mitigation Study Committee is created and shall be composed of eight
members as follows:
1. Two members shall be
appointed by the Governor, with one designated by the Governor to serve as
chair.
2. Two members shall be
appointed by the Chief Financial Officer.
3. Two members shall be
appointed by the President of the Senate.
4. Two members shall be
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(b) Each
member must be knowledgeable of issues concerning the mitigation of the
effects of windstorms on
structures in this state and at least one member must represent primarily the
interests of homeowners.
(2) (a) The members of
the committee shall serve without compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement
for all necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties,
including travel expenses, in accordance with s. 112.061, Florida
Statutes. Reimbursements for travel shall be paid by the appointing
entity.
(b) The committee shall
meet as necessary, at the call of the chair, and at the time and place designated by the chair. The committee may conduct its meetings through
teleconferences or other similar means. The first meeting of the
committee shall occur no later than February 9, 2007.
(3) The Department of
Financial Services, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Citizens
Property Insurance Corporation, and other agencies of this state shall
supply any information, assistance, and facilities that are considered
necessary by the committee to carry out its duties under this section.
The department shall provide staff assistance as necessary in order to
carry out the required clerical and administrative functions of the
committee.
(4) The committee shall
analyze those solutions and programs that address the state's acute need
to mitigate the effects of windstorms on structures, especially
residential property that is located in areas at greatest risk of
windstorm damage, including programs or proposals that provide for:
(a) The availability of
home inspections for windstorm resistance.
(b) Grants to assist
homeowners, and possibly other groups of property owners, to harden
their property against windstorm damage.
(c) The full actuarial
value to be reflected in premium credits for windstorm mitigation.
(d) The most effective
way to inform policyholders of the availability of and means by which to
obtain premium credits for windstorm mitigation.
(e) Coordination among
federal, local, and private initiatives.
(f) Streamlining or
strengthening applicable state, regional, and local regulations.
(g) The stimulation of
public and private efforts to mitigate against windstorm injury and
damage.
(h) The discovery and
assessment of funding sources for windstorm mitigation.
(i) Tax incentives for
windstorm mitigation.
(j) Consumer information
concerning the benefits of windstorm mitigation, including personal
safety as well as property security.
(k) Research on windstorm
mitigation.
The committee may
develop any other solutions and programs that it considers appropriate.
(5) In performing its
analysis, the committee shall consider both the safety of the
residents of this state and the protection of real property,
especially residential. In addition, the committee shall consider both
short-term and long term solutions and programs.
(6) The committee shall
review, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding existing and
proposed programs and initiatives for mitigating windstorm damage.
(7) The committee shall
provide recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the
Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of
Insurance Regulation by March 6, 2007.
(8) The committee shall
expire on May 15, 2007.
