Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) recently introduced three pieces of legislation aimed at reforming the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with the intention of growing the private market.

First, S. 2915, the “Flood Insurance Consumer Choice Act," clarifies that a flood insurance policy purchased in the private market can count as “continuous coverage" under the terms of the NFIP. This Big “I"-supported legislation ensures that policyholders can leave the program to purchase a private insurance flood policy and later return the NFIP without penalty. Similar legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year by Reps. Kathy Castor (D-Florida) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Missouri).

Another bill introduced by Sen. Scott, S. 2913, the “Removing Barriers to Private Flood Insurance Act," would permanently eliminate the NFIP's Write-Your-Own (WYO) company non-compete clause. This would ensure that WYO companies could sell private flood insurance products that compete with NFIP products.

The final piece of legislation, S. 2916, the “Flood Insurance Transparency Act," would require FEMA to make detailed historic claims, policy, and flood risk data available to the public and easily accessible, while protecting personal information as required by law.

As Congress continues to consider flood insurance reforms, they also recently reauthorized the NFIP through Dec. 3. The Big “I" is currently advocating for Congress to reauthorize the program on a long-term basis before the Dec. 3 deadline.

Wyatt Stewart is Big “I" assistant vice president of federal government affairs.