{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=8B55A46C-83AE-468F-931A-2D17691CA126", "Wicker Proposes Needed Flood Insurance Reforms", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Atlantic hurricane season is officially over. \u00a0November 30 marked the end of a particularly devastating season that produced six major hurricanes at a Category 3 level or higher. \u00a0The National Hurricane Center has classified 2017 as one of its top seven most active hurricane seasons.\r\nThese storms affected millions of Americans, flooding homes and leaving communities in ruin. Hurricane Harvey\u2019s torrential rain over southeast Texas broke historical records. \u00a0Our own Gulf Coast communities suffered damaging floods from the storm surge of Hurricane Nate.\r\nThe National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is used by some five million Americans who live in coastal or flood-prone areas. \u00a0It was created by Congress almost 50 years ago and often serves as the only flood insurance option that Americans have to protect their homes and property.\u00a0 In recent years, however, major storms like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy have put the program\u2019s long-term sustainability at risk. \u00a0Even before Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, Irma, and Nate arrived, NFIP had amassed nearly $25 billion in debt. \u00a0The program is also nearing a critical deadline. \u00a0Congressional reauthorization is needed by December 8.\r\nKeeping Flood Insurance Accessible and Affordable\r\nI have been working on reforms to address NFIP\u2019s financial solvency and future stability. \u00a0Thousands of Mississippians depend on the program. \u00a0This reauthorization is an opportunity to ensure it continues to make flood insurance coverage accessible and affordable.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nI turned to the expertise of local officials, industry leaders, and Mississippians when writing the four bills I have introduced to improve NFIP. \u00a0I have also consulted with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Mississippi Insurance Department. \u00a0These are policies that can have a major impact on Mississippians\u2019 lives, and I am determined to ensure that they work in the best interest of our homeowners, small business owners, and communities.\r\nNOAA Nominee Affirms Support for \u2018COASTAL Act\u2019\r\nOne of these bills would build on my \u201cCOASTAL Act,\u201d which became law in 2012. \u00a0That legislation addresses the disputes that can arise over whether properties have been damaged by wind or water. \u00a0Specifically, it requires that scientific data be used by insurance adjusters for making accurate damage assessments. \u00a0My new bill would update the \u201cCOASTAL Act\u201d and offer technical support to NOAA in an effort to expedite implementation of the law.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nI asked President Trump\u2019s nominee for NOAA Administrator, Barry Myers, about the \u201cCOASTAL Act\u201d during a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing.\u00a0 I was glad to hear his support for the law\u2019s implementation. \u00a0Accuracy in post-storm assessments is key to providing fair compensation to homeowners and eliminating unnecessary financial burdens on NFIP.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nI have also introduced legislation to empower our communities and residents who face flood risks. \u00a0One of these legislative measures would enable small businesses and nonprofits with multiple structures to reallocate insurance surcharges toward flood mitigation. \u00a0Another proposal would ensure that Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology is used during the flood mapping process, replacing the archaic maps for some communities in Mississippi.\u00a0 Modernized data can help lower premiums for consumers.\u00a0 A database allowing this information to be shared among federal agencies, states, municipalities, and private partners can save taxpayer dollars.\u00a0 Because consumers deserve the most up-to-date information, I have introduced an additional proposal that would promote continuing education opportunities for insurance agents to stay informed on the latest flood data.\u00a0\r\nI will continue to work with my colleagues on flood insurance reform and hope we can make significant strides soon.\u00a0 The storms of the 2017 hurricane season have demonstrated the extreme devastation that can be wrought and the need to prepare long before the next disaster hits.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=8B55A46C-83AE-468F-931A-2D17691CA126"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.2357990965247154, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}