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Bilirakis Introduces Bill to Encourage Gulf Coast States to Coordinate, Prepare, and Respond to Disa |
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June 15, 2007
WASHINGTON
- U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis
(R-Fla.), member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today introduced
critical legislation that would allow Gulf Coast States (Alabama, Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) to pool their resources and jointly
coordinate responses and preparation for major disasters.
The Gulf Coast
All-Hazard Readiness Act (H.R. 2704) would allow the Gulf Coast States to form an interstate compact to
mitigate, respond to and recover from major natural disasters. Under this
legislation, participating states could establish an all-hazard fund to backstop
funding for disaster recovery and ultimately alleviate some of the financial
burden on the federal government.
"Interstate disaster
mitigation and an appropriate cooperative strategy to handle a major, regional
catastrophe will lessen final impact and, more importantly, save lives," said
Bilirakis. "This legislation would grant authority for state and local
governments to more closely cooperate on preparing for and responding to
disasters more effectively."
Throughout his short time in
Congress, Bilirakis has made it a priority to propose legislation that would
improve the nation's disaster preparedness and address the skyrocketing cost of
insurance for homeowners' in high-risk areas. Congressman Bilirakis also
has encouraged his colleagues to support legislation that he has introduced
(H.R. 913) that would allow tax credits for home and business owners who better
strengthen their property for major wind damage.
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