HARRISBURG, PA — A bipartisan group of state lawmakers from the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force—state Reps. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, and David Zimmerman, R-Berks/Lancaster, along with state Sens. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, and Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming— announced on July 15 the advancement of legislation that would give Pennsylvania homebuyers information regarding flood risks when purchasing residential property.

House Bill 1704, introduced by Warren and Zimmerman and approved unanimously by the House Insurance Committee, would require home sellers to disclose critical flood-related information to prospective buyers.

The legislation is based on recommendations made by the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, which was created through legislation introduced by Warren and Santarsiero and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“This bill would alert prospective buyers of residential real property of the existence of a potential risk of flood damage,” said Warren, who chairs the House Insurance Committee, “and would ensure that prospective home buyers are aware of a property’s history of flooding or flood insurance requirements so they can consider flood risk and the availability of flood insurance coverage.”

House Bill 1704 would require sellers to disclose:

• Whether a property has previously experienced flood damage.
• Whether a property is in a FEMA-designated flood hazard area (100- or 500-year flood zones).
• Whether the owner of a property is required to obtain or maintain flood insurance.
• Whether the seller received any form of governmental assistance for flood damage.
• Whether the seller has ever filed a flood insurance claim.

The bill also would direct the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to create and maintain a public-facing website with information on flood zones, insurance options, and risk mitigation strategies.

“With Pennsylvania’s history of flooding and recent intense storms and flooding events throughout the nation, the members of the task force are working together to reduce economic risk and to promote flood awareness,” Warren said.

“In order for homebuyers to make an informed purchase, sellers must disclose flooding risks when selling a home,” Santarsiero said. “I’m pleased to see the House taking up this important issue to address one of the key recommendations of the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, and I look forward to supporting the bill in the Senate.”

“The process of purchasing or renting a home can be stressful, and that process must be as open and transparent as possible,” Zimmerman said. “I’m proud to have worked with Chairman Warren to craft legislation that would address the issue of flooding risk, which should have to be declared out of honesty and respect for the prospective buyer or renter.”

House Bill 1704 now moves to the full House for consideration.

Warren represents the 31st Legislative District in Bucks County, comprised of Lower Makefield, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Upper Makefield and Yardley.

Zimmerman represents the 99th Legislative District in Berks and Lancaster counties, comprised of Adamstown, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Denver, East Cocalico, East Earl, Salisbury, Terre Hill, West Cocalico Township, Brecknock, Cumru, Mohnton and Spring.

Santarsiero represents the 10th Senatorial District in Bucks County, comprised of Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Buckingham, Chalfont, Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Township, Falls, Lower Makefield, Morrisville, New Britain Borough, New Britain Township, New Hope, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Plumstead, Solebury, Tullytown, Upper Makefield and Yardley.

Baker represents the 20th Senatorial District, comprised of Pike, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties and parts of Luzerne and Wayne counties.