HB 988

AN ACT TO CREATE THE STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 83-1-191, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO RENAME THE COMPREHENSIVE HURRICANE DAMAGE PROGRAM THE "STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES PROGRAM"; TO REQUIRE THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FOR HURRICANE, TORNADO AND OTHER CATASTROPHIC WINDSTORM DAMAGE MITIGATION; TO DELETE REQUIREMENTS FOR A COST-BENEFIT STUDY ON WIND HAZARD MITIGATION CONSTRUCTION MEASURES, WIND CERTIFICATION AND HURRICANE MITIGATION INSPECTIONS, AND AN ADVISORY COUNCIL; TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL GRANTS, PER HOME, OFFERED BY THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE TO PROMULGATE RULES FOR ISSUING GRANTS UNDER THE PROGRAM; TO RENAME THE COMPREHENSIVE HURRICANE DAMAGE MITIGATION PROGRAM FUND THE "STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES PROGRAM FUND"; TO DELETE THE REPEALER ON THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND CHAIRS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE INSURANCE COMMITTEES ON THE PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 83-5-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE FEE CHARGED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE FOR FILING AND PROCESSING AN AGENT'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY; TO REQUIRE HALF OF THE FEE TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES PROGRAM FUND AND HALF INTO THE STATE GENERAL FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.