Urges Congress and the President of the United States to increase subsidies for federal flood insurance.

SCR85

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 85

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� CARMEN F. AMATO, JR.

District 9 (Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Urges Congress and the President of the United States
to increase subsidies for federal flood insurance.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A
Concurrent Resolution

urging
Congress and the President of the United States to increase subsidies for
federal flood insurance.

Whereas,

In late October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy battered New Jersey, devastating many
communities, especially those located along the shore and in other areas
vulnerable to flood; and

Whereas,

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been an indispensable resource
for many victims of Hurricane Sandy and other flooding disasters in New Jersey
over the years; and

Whereas,

Due to the unavailability of private insurers that offer adequate and
affordable flood insurance, the NFIP, a federal program first established
through the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, provides coverage to many in
flood-prone areas; and

Whereas,

On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Biggert-Waters Flood
Insurance Reform Act of 2012, which requires the NFIP to phase-out and
eventually eliminate a variety of existing subsidies for flood insurance
premiums; and

Whereas,

The elimination of subsidies will increase expenses for New Jersey homeowners
who already pay high premiums for flood insurance; and

Whereas,

Due to changes in floodplain zones by the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
which oversees the NFIP, some New Jersey homeowners' homes below new base flood
elevations could see an unprecedented escalation in the cost of flood insurance
premiums of 500% or more; and

Whereas,

Many of the homeowners who will be subject to increased flood insurance
premiums are the very same homeowners who have been heavily impacted by recent
disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Irene; and

Whereas,

Additionally, there has been a disparate Congressional and federal reaction to
Hurricane Sandy as compared to other recent national disasters, which has
negatively affected the victims of Hurricane Sandy in many ways, such as
delaying the federal relief necessary to help victims rebuild their lives; and

Whereas,

The federal government provided relief to victims within 10 days of Hurricane
Katrina and within 30 days of Hurricane Andrew, but victims of Hurricane Sandy
have waited over 90 days for relief, the first installment of which was finally
released on February 6, 2013; and

Whereas,

An increase in subsidies for property owners who have suffered frequent losses
would be especially helpful, as these property owners suffer from high
premiums, losses from recent disasters, and delays in receiving federal relief;
and

Whereas,

It is fitting and appropriate for the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to
call upon Congress and the President of the United States to increase subsidies
for federal flood insurance, in order to decrease premiums for the homeowners
living in flood-prone areas of this State and similarly situated states; now,
therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate of the State of New
Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

���� 1.��� The Congress and
President of the United States are respectfully urged to take all appropriate
legislative and regulatory action necessary to increase subsidies for premiums
paid for flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program,
especially for property owners who have suffered frequent losses.

���� 2.��� Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the President
and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of
the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States
House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State,
and the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
.

STATEMENT

���� This concurrent resolution
respectfully urges Congress and the President of the United States to take all
appropriate legislative and regulatory action necessary to increase subsidies
for premiums paid for flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance
Program, especially for property owners who have suffered frequent losses.