Legislation establishing a bipartisan commission to help the federal government prepare and manage responses to national disasters has been introduced in the House.
The bill, H.R. 5891, the Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance Commission Act, would create a 17-member panel that would include an independent insurance agent as part of the commission.
The legislation is a companion bill to the Commission on Natural Disaster Risk and Insurance Act, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., in May.
The House bill was introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla., and co-sponsored by nine representatives from both sides of the aisle, including Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del.; Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C.; and Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La.
Rep. Wasserman-Schultz's legislation would establish a national commission whose responsibility would be to recommend policies to help the federal government prepare for and manage disaster response, mitigate future costs, reduce the likelihood of fraud and abuse in a federal repayment program, and hedge any risk exposure assumed by the federal government in the adoption of a national catastrophe program.
Charles E. Symington Jr., senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations, with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, explained the trade group's interest in the bill, noting that independent insurance agents and brokers are an integral part of the insurance marketplace. He said the commission would give a crucial part of the industry a place at the table in making important public policy.
"Our members serve as the conduit between consumers and insurance companies, and they understand from experience the marketplace disruption caused by natural disasters," he explained.
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