A decision by the US House of Representatives’ decision to reauthorise the National Flood Insurance Programme has been welcomed by the Risk Management Society.

Rims has also urged the US Senate to do likewise before the programme’s expiration on December 8.

The organisation has also launched a NFIP grass roots advocacy initiative. The effort comprises a varied communications strategy while providing Rims members with resources to effectively engage and educate their local elected officials.

“Rims is thrilled that the House has taken the initiative to examine, understand and reauthorise the National Flood Insurance Programme,” said Robert Cartwright, Rims vice-president. “It is now the Senate’s turn. The NFIP’s expiration would have significant repercussions, impacting both corporate and residential property owners. The Society’s grass roots effort provides yet another vehicle for our members to get involved in the legislative process and emphasises the criticality of this programme’s existence.”

The NFIP has been a longtime priority of Rims and was the focus of the Society’s 2017 Legislative Summit held last month in Washington, DC. At the summit, Rims members participated in more than 50 meetings with House and Senate offices to discuss the risk management community’s concerns regarding the NFIP.