Flood bill signed by governor
Comet staff report

Senate Bill 104, authored by Sen. Brandt Hershman, was signed into law March 14 by Gov. Mitch Daniels according to a press release from Hershman's office. The law will allow flood victims to get started on the rebuilding of their homes.

Prior to the passage of this bill, homes in flood areas which were damaged 50 percent or more by a flood could not be rebuilt and would require the occupants to rebuild elsewhere. The law will align the Department of Natural Resources with Federal Emergency Management Agency's regulations which allow homes in a floodway to be built two feet above the 100-year flood level.

This legislation will allow flood victims to get started on the repair and restructuring of their homes right away," Hershman said. "I believe this will help affected residents return to their normal lives, as well."

Another provision will streamline the application and administrative process local governments must follow to receive low interest rate loans. Hershman said obtaining loans are necessary in order to fix levees and provide other flood control maintenance.

The new law went into effect immediately.