State Representative Tina Davis (D-Bucks) knows up close and personal how the flooding of a homeowners property can set back, at the very least, and upend lives seeing and living it the past five years with drowning of homes, where she lives in Croydon, the district she serves and county wide.
Today the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed her legislation that would require municipalities to notify residents when changes to flood plain classifications occur — a crucial step toward better protecting homeowners and communities from flood risks.
“As we’ve seen in Bucks County and across the Commonwealth, flooding can strike with little warning and isn’t confined to traditional high-risk zones,” Davis said. “Our landscapes are constantly evolving, and so is the information provided by FEMA. When a property’s flood risk changes, homeowners deserve to know.”
House Bill 1282 mandates that municipalities provide written notice to property owners if their flood plain status changes, based on updates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The notice must include:
- Confirmation that a change in flood plain classification has occurred.
- Contact information for the National Flood Insurance Program.
- The name and contact details for the municipality’s designated flood plain administrator.
Davis said the bill empowers residents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about insurance coverage, home safety measures, and emergency preparedness.
“This legislation is about transparency and giving people the tools they need to protect their homes and families,” Davis said. “It’s a commonsense measure that brings government closer to the people it serves.”
Davis has presented similar if not exact legislation to House in the past, the difference today, is the one vote majority Democrats currently hold in the chamber.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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