SCR 59

2026 Regular Session  ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 59
BY SENATOR BARROW
  A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To memorialize the Congress of the United States to reevaluate and redraw flood-risk maps
       and systems upon fifty percent completion of the Comite River Diversion Canal
       Project and decrease insurance rates based on mitigation progress in Louisiana.
       WHEREAS, the Comite River Diversion Canal Project was developed to redirect
excess flood water from the Comite River Basin toward the Mississippi River in order to
reduce future flood damage; and
       WHEREAS, during the August 2016 flood of record within the basin, approximately
109,000 homes flooded, of which 79,000 homes were located in East Baton Rouge Parish
and Livingston Parish. Flood damages were estimated at $3.8 billion in residential property
damage with $2.3 billion occurring in East Baton Rouge Parish and Livingston Parish; and
       WHEREAS, following the 2016 flood, the project received major federal funding and
advanced into active construction, including work on the diversion channel, control
structures, bridges, and related infrastructure and has made measurable progress toward
completion, representing a significant step toward long-term flood risk reduction for
communities in and around East Baton Rouge Parish; and
       WHEREAS, flood risk is a major factor in increased insurance costs in Louisiana,
resulting in higher premiums, financial burdens on families, reduced housing affordability,
and impaired economic growth in communities across this state; and
       WHEREAS, the Comite River Diversion Canal Project in southeastern Louisiana is
a long-standing federal and state flood mitigation project designed to reduce flood damages
for residents and property owners; and
       WHEREAS, despite significant progress toward long-term flood risk reduction and
completion of the project since 2016, Louisiana homeowners, renters, farmers, and
businesses continue to face severe increases in property and flood insurance premiums; and
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SCR NO. 59  ENROLLED
       WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has indicated
once the project is fifty percent completed, they can begin redrawing flood maps in a way
that shows the project is finished, resulting in lowered insurance rates for tens of thousands
of people who live within the Basin; and
       WHEREAS, it has been publicly reported that FEMA estimates that the fifty percent
threshold for project completion will be met in the summer of 2027, and by 2028 should
eliminate or reduce flood insurance premiums in advance of the project being completed;
and
       WHEREAS, recognition of substantial completion benchmarks, including
approximately fifty percent completion of the Comite River Diversion Canal Project, should
support updated risk modeling, mitigation recognition, improved affordability, and future
premium relief.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
memorialize the Congress of the United States to take necessary action to stabilize and
reduce insurance costs for Louisiana residents and businesses impacted by flood risk,
including through federal recognition of measurable flood-risk reduction associated with
major mitigation infrastructure.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the secretary of the United States Senate and the clerk of the United States House of
Representatives and to each member of the Louisiana delegation of the United States
Congress.
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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