The National Flood Insurance Program has been extended through May 31st. It is anticipated that a longer re-authorization from Congress will be discussed in the coming weeks.
Derek White, Columbia County Emergency Management
NFIP Extended Until 5/31; Vote Looms On New Bill
NU Online News Service, April 16, 2010
WASHINGTON—Congress finally approved legislation last night that reinstated the National Flood Insurance Program. President Obama signed the measure into law within an hour after the House passed the measure.
The provision is effective until May 31.
It is retroactive from March 28, when the fourth temporary extension since the program’s authorization originally ran out on Sept. 30, 2008.
Officials of the American Insurance Association said the goal of congressional leadership is to finish work by May 31 on a so-called tax extender’s bill, H.R. 4213, “thus precluding the need for another short-term extension of the NFIP.”
Blain Rethmeier, an AIA spokesman, added that, "Families living in flood prone areas can now obtain the coverage they need and move on with their lives. We're glad the program has been extended and look forward to working with Congressional leaders to enact more meaningful reform rather than continuing to pass extension after extension."
That bill would extend the NFIP through Dec. 31, 2010.
According to officials of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, “in theory, the NFIP will now return to normal operations and since the extension is also retroactive, any new policy applications or renewals that were signed and submitted during the hiatus will be effective from the date of application (or in the case of waiting periods, the waiting period will start from the date of application).”
