Long Island, NY - November 15, 2017 - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Financial Services Committee, announced today that his bipartisan bill with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D, NY-12), the NFIP Policyholder Protection Act (H.R. 2868), passed the House of Representatives as part of the 21st Century Flood Reform Act (HR 2874), a major flood insurance reauthorization and reform package.
The NFIP Policyholder Protection Act would provide a credit to homeowners with NFIP policies who invest in mitigation activities, such as elevating their homes, adding porous foundations, or moving boilers to a higher floor. This credit would result in lower premiums and help reduce the cost to homeowners. Among other provisions, the bill also requires FEMA to better cover co-op units within NFIP.
Congressman Zeldin said, “Homeowners who do the right thing and invest in mitigation activities deserve a strong return on their investment in the form of lower NFIP premiums. The NFIP Policyholder Protection Act puts preparedness first by rewarding flood insurance policyholders who elevate their homes or undertake other mitigation activities to reduce their flood risk and protect their property. On Long Island, protecting life and property from flood damage is a top priority. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in Congress to get this bill passed in the Senate and sent to the President’s desk without delay. I am also thankful for the strong bipartisan teamwork of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and for the leadership of Chairman Jeb Hensarling and Chairman Sean Duffy on this important legislation.”
H.R. 2868, the NFIP Policyholder Protection Act, received widespread local support when it passed out of committee in June.
“Super Storm Sandy served as a devastating reminder of how vulnerable Long Islanders are to nature’s fury,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. “Congressman Zeldin’s legislation, which I strongly support, is in the best interest of homeowners who do the right thing by taking steps to protect their homes and property. I urge Congress to follow his lead and move this forward before the next major weather event brings more flooding to our shoreline communities.”
Paul Pontieri, Mayor of the Village of Patchogue, said, “As a waterfront community many residents of Patchogue Village, like many others on Long Island, suffered severe damage on their homes. Unfortunately even after the storm passed the suffering continued with the reconstruction of their homes and the prospect of extremely high insurance rates. Congressman Zeldin's legislation offers the needed relief these families need to continue to live their lives in the communities they love.”
New York City’s Chief Resilience Officer Dan Zarrilli said, “New York City is pleased to see proposed legislation that emphasizes feasible mitigation options for the types of buildings that are built in dense urban environments. These mitigation options will enable homeowners and businesses to reduce their flood risk in an affordable way, which is necessary to enhance resiliency in cities across the nation."
The NFIP Policyholder Protection Act has received strong bipartisan support from elected officials in New York and is also supported by 16 organizations, including the National Multifamily Housing Council, National Wildlife Federation, and American Consumer Institute.