SB 2409

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES ACT" TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE MITIGATION PROGRAM IN THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE FOR RETROFITTING INSURABLE HOMES; TO AMEND SECTION 83-1-191, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO RENAME THE "COMPREHENSIVE HURRICANE DAMAGE MITIGATION PROGRAM" TO THE "STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES PROGRAM"; TO INCLUDE HURRICANE, TORNADO OR OTHER CATASTROPHIC WINDSTORM EVENT MITIGATION; TO REMOVE THE PROVISIONS FOR A COST-BENEFIT STUDY ON WIND HAZARD MITIGATION CONSTRUCTION MEASURES, WIND CERTIFICATION AND HURRICANE MITIGATION INSPECTIONS, AND AN ADVISORY COUNCIL; TO INCREASE THE AMOUNTS OF FINANCIAL GRANTS OFFERED BY THE STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES PROGRAM TO $15,000.00 PER HOME AND TO ALLOW THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR ISSUING OF GRANTS BY REGULATION; TO RENAME THE "COMPREHENSIVE HURRICANE DAMAGE MITIGATION PROGRAM FUND" TO THE "STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES FUND"; TO REMOVE THE REPEALER; TO AMEND SECTION 83-5-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE FEE CHARGED FOR AN AGENT'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY FROM $25.00 TO $50.00; TO PROVIDE THAT ONE-HALF OF THE FEE WILL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE STATE GENERAL FUND AND ONE-HALF OF THE FEE WILL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE STRENGTHEN MISSISSIPPI HOMES FUND; AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES.