Florida Flood Insurance Bill Heads to Governor

Florida is trying to entice private insurance companies to sell flood policies in the state that’s the most vulnerable to storm surge.

The Florida Senate voted Thursday 30-3 for the bill (SB 542) sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott.

The legislation is designed to make it easier for private companies to sell flood insurance.

Florida is home to 37 percent of the federal policies and state officials say congressional attempts to overhaul the troubled program burdened many Floridians with skyrocketing premiums. Congress just recently rolled back some of the increases it permitted in 2012.

It’s not clear, though, that many private insurers will want to assume the risks of flooding.