Last week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., brought back a bill to “direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to consult with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in order to obtain the most up-to-date information relevant to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) rate maps”
Rubio and Posey first introduced the “Flood Insurance Rate Map Interagency Technology (FIRM IT) Act” two years ago, insisting it will “provide Floridians and others who utilize NFIP, with the most accurate data for flood hazard identification.” They reintroduced the proposal last week.
“Florida businesses and homeowners rely on FEMA to provide accurate information on their risk for flooding, hence why these maps must be up-to-date and correct,” Rubio said. “This legislation will require FEMA to coordinate with relevant federal agencies to ensure that coastal communities in Florida, and across the nation, have the highest-quality flood maps.”
“In many cases we haven’t updated our floodplain maps in 20 years. This proposal will help us do that cheaper, faster, more accurately, and without duplication,” Posey said. “I thank Sen. Rubio for his leadership in the Senate on this important issue.”
U.S. GEO, the National Society of Professional Surveyors and the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society (FSMS) are backing the proposal.
Rubio’s bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee last week. So far, there are no co-sponsors.
Posey’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Financial Services Committee. He has not reeled in any co-sponsors so far.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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