In a rare display of bipartisanship, the U-S House passed a bill halting flood insurance rate hikes Tuesday night.
Just a few months ago, it seemed unlikely an effort to stop flood insurance premiums from skyrocketing would pass in the House.
The Senate passed a bill late last year that halted increases created by Biggert-Waters—a 2012 law compelling residents of flood prone areas to shore up the federal flood insurance program.
Republican leaders in the House were opposed to reform—arguing it is unfair for taxpayers to subsidize coastal communities.
However, after months of pressure from residents and business-owners in flood-prone areas, House members struck a bipartisan deal.
Lee County Commissioner Larry Kiker and a coalition of Southwest Florida mayors spent three days last month pleading with House members to pass the bill which would prevent flood insurance rate hikes for about 30,000 properties in Lee County. He said he’s proud lawmakers found a way to help his community.
“I think what people to need to understand mostly is that this is just a battle,” he said. “We haven’t won the war and we all may be heading back to Washington DC and charging the hill again if we need to.”
Every member of the Florida delegation in the House voted “yes” on the bill, which puts a cap on rate increases, helps people whose premiums have already increased, while also addressing the program’s insolvency.
The House bill now goes to Senate.
