Iowa Governor Culver Signs Legislation To Help Further Recovery Efforts Statewide

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Five pieces of legislation help communities recover from and prepare for disasters

May 22, 2009 -- CEDAR RAPIDS – Iowa Governor Chet Culver continued his work of helping communities recover from the disasters of 2008 by signing five disaster recovery-related bills into law today. The Governor was joined by local officials from Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids for the ceremony at Mays Island, the historic home of local government.

“As we approach the one year anniversary of last year’s natural disasters, one thing is clear – Iowans have joined together to rebuild our homes, business, and communities,” said Governor Culver. “We have already made much progress, but there is much more to do, and these five bills will not only help us in our rebuilding efforts, but also help us take steps to prevent the damage and destruction we saw last year. As Governor, I am committed to rebuilding this state, and I look forward to working with all Iowans to create the safer, stronger future we all know is possible.”

Below is a summary of the bills the Governor signed into law.

Senate File 415: An act relating to the acquisition of title to disaster-affected abandoned property by cities in certain years and authorizing cities to establish a property rights defense account.

Senate File 377: An act relating to the prescription drug donation repository program. The bill helps Iowans who have been victims of disaster through a prescription drug repository that authorizes medical facilities, and pharmacies, and the department to redispense prescription drugs and supplies that would otherwise be destroyed.

House File 705: An act concerning safe rooms and storm shelters in newly constructed buildings. The state building code commissioner, in cooperation with the department of public defense, the department of natural resources, and the rebuild Iowa office, will review and assess best practices in the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings, safe rooms, and storm shelters to reduce the risk of personal injury from tornadoes and other severe weather.

House File 756: An act relating to regional watershed, land use, and floodplain management policies, and providing for the establishment of the Mississippi river partnership council, which will be a forum for city, county, state, agriculture, business, conservation, and environmental and other stakeholders to discuss matters relevant to the health, management, and use of the Mississippi river.

House File 759: An act requiring counties and cities with flood hazard areas within their boundaries to participate in the national flood insurance program, and requiring preparation of a flood insurance report by the commissioner of insurance.

These bills are among two dozen disaster-related pieces of legislation signed into law this year. Previous bills signed by Governor Culver include the Rebuild Iowa Act, which includes $56 million in disaster relief, and the I-JOBS initiative, which provides $165 million in help to communities impacted by last year’s flood as well as $100 million to help rebuild the flood-damaged campus at the University of Iowa.

Source: Iowa Governor