House Bill 1459 amends the My Safe Florida Home Program to shift its focus from hurricane mitigation to wind and flood mitigation. The bill introduces new provisions for conducting inspections, projects, and grants specifically aimed at addressing wind and flood risks, while eliminating references to hurricane-related activities. The Department of Financial Services will contract with flood certification entities to carry out these inspections and establish eligibility criteria for homeowners seeking assistance. The legislation sets maximum state contributions for mitigation grants at $10,000 for wind mitigation and $20,000 for flood mitigation, with the latter amount being a lifetime cap for each homeowner.

The bill also outlines specific requirements for wind and flood mitigation inspections, including inspector qualifications and eligible improvements for grant funding. It prioritizes applications from low-income individuals and those with previous flood insurance claims, while defining "substantial damage" to clarify grant eligibility. Additionally, the bill allocates $200 million in nonrecurring funds for mitigation grants and $5 million for public outreach for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The Department of Financial Services will oversee the management of these funds and ensure quality assurance in the inspection process, with annual reporting mandated on the program's activities and financial impacts. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1459 Filed: 215.5586