HS HCS HB 451 -- FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT (Wiggins)

This substitute requires the State Emergency Management Agency
(SEMA) to coordinate activities pertaining to the National Flood
Insurance Program and implement floodplain management policies
for state-owned development.

To be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard
mitigation grants or state economic development block grants for
flood-related assistance, communities that contain a special
flood hazard area must participate in the National Flood
Insurance Program.  Other communities may receive state funds in
emergencies.  Appraisers and real estate agents must consider
and disclose information on the flood hazard status of
structures, and all residential property insurance policies
issued after March 1, 1998, must indicate whether they insure
against flood damage.

In communities participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program, any development in special flood hazard areas must
comply with the community's floodplain management ordinance.  A
permit from SEMA is required for state-owned development in
special flood hazard areas.  Information on railway development
in special flood hazard areas must be submitted to SEMA.

All communities may issue variances to floodplain management
procedures.  Communities that are participating in the National
Flood Insurance Program and have not adopted zoning ordinances
may submit variances to SEMA for review and disposition.

The substitute also requires the Clean Water Commission to base
losing stream determinations on applicable data rather than
presumption, although any stream segment within one mile
upstream of a designated losing stream may be presumed to also
be a losing stream.

FISCAL NOTE:  Income to Insurance Dedicated Fund of $0 to $1,500
for FY 1998, $0 for FY 1999 and FY 2000.

HCS HB 451 -- FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

SPONSOR:  Wiggins

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Environment and Energy by a vote of 19 to 0.

This substitute requires the State Emergency Management Agency
(SEMA) to coordinate activities pertaining to the National Flood
Insurance Program and implement floodplain management policies
for state-owned development.

To be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard
mitigation grants or state economic development block grants for
flood-related assistance, communities that contain a special
flood hazard area must participate in the National Flood
Insurance Program.  Other communities may receive state funds in
emergencies.  Appraisers and real estate agents must consider
and disclose information on the flood hazard status of
structures, and all real property insurance policies must state
whether they insure against flood damage.

In communities participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program, any development in special flood hazard areas must
comply with the community's floodplain management ordinance.  A
permit from SEMA is required for state-owned development in
special flood hazard areas.  Information on railway development
in special flood hazard areas must be submitted to SEMA.

All communities may issue variances to floodplain management
procedures.  Communities that are participating in the National
Flood Insurance Program and have not adopted zoning ordinances
may submit variances to SEMA for review and disposition.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will help communities
achieve compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program.
Residents of communities not in compliance will not be able to
buy flood insurance and may not be able to obtain home loans.
Missouri is the only midwestern state without a floodplain
management program and will lose some federal funding during
future floods if a program is not adopted.  Taxpayers no longer
want state funds used for uninsured losses.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Wiggins; Jerry
Uhlmann, State Emergency Management Agency; Mayor of Brunswick,
Missouri; Department of Transportation; Conservation Federation
of Missouri; Missouri Bankers Association; League of Women
Voters; and Missouri Coalition for the Environment.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that landowners can
deal with the federal government directly and do not need
another layer of regulation.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri Farm Bureau; Missouri
Levee and Drainage District Association; Representative Norwald;
and Missouri Soybean Association.

Terry Finger, Research Analyst

HB 451 -- Floodplain Management

Sponsor:  Wiggins

This bill requires the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
to implement floodplain management policies and coordinate
activities pertaining to the National Flood Insurance Program.

To be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard
mitigation grants or state economic development block grants for
flood-related assistance, communities that contain a special
flood hazard area must participate in the National Flood
Insurance Program.  Other communities may receive state funds in
emergencies.  Appraisers and real estate agents must consider
and disclose information on the flood hazard status of
structures, and all insurance policies must state whether they
insure against flood damage.

In communities participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program, any development in special flood hazard areas must
comply with the community's floodplain management ordinance.  A
permit from SEMA is required for any development within the
regulatory floodway in other communities and for state-owned
development in special flood hazard areas.  Information on
railway development in special flood hazard areas must be
submitted to SEMA.

Variances to floodplain management procedures must conform to
federal regulations.  Communities that are participating in the
National Flood Insurance Program and have adopted zoning
ordinances have the authority to issue variances.  Variance
requests in other communities and for state-owned developments
will be reviewed by SEMA.