WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today reintroduced three legislative measures aimed at improving the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which covers thousands of homeowners in Mississippi.

“The ongoing flooding in the Delta and the deluge of water brought by Hurricane Barry are reminders that Mississippians need access to affordable, quality flood insurance protections,” Wicker said. “Congress should pass a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP. I will advocate for these proposals during that discussion to improve the program through more accurate maps, small business relief, better information for consumers, and other priorities important to Mississippi.”

The bills introduced by Wicker today would:

• Deliver relief for small business owners and nonprofits by allowing surcharges to be used for mitigation (“Small Business Surcharge Relief Act”);
• Empower local communities to take an active role in flood mapping (“Municipality Empowerment Mapping Achievement Act”); and
• Provide continuing education for insurance agents to ensure that accurate information about flood policies is being presented to consumers (“Flood Insurance Continuing Education and Training Act”).

The bills are supported by the Mississippi Department of Insurance and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

Wicker introduced the COASTAL Implementation Act earlier this year, which would support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with technical assistance so that it can provide better data and information to homeowners. This assistance would enable NOAA to comply fully with Wicker’s COASTAL Act, which was signed into law in 2012. The COASTAL Implementation Act was passed by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and is now pending before the full Senate.