Today, Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF 619, a disaster assistance bill, into law.
“The tenacity of Iowans has been tested over the past year,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “Our state faced devastating natural disasters in the spring of 2024—strong tornadoes and widespread flooding affected tens of thousands of Iowa families. To put it in perspective, our state was granted three Presidential disaster declarations in just two months. During this time of recovery, our relief programs have proven vital for Iowa families and communities to regain their footing and restart their lives. Today, I sign this legislation to streamline our disaster assistance process and make it easier for Iowans to get the help they need as soon as possible.”
Gov. Reynolds’ disaster relief bill provides the following assistance to Iowans rebuilding from the 2024 disasters as well as creates important tools to build resilience from future natural disasters:
- Adds $11.6 million to fully fund the Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program launched last July in response to storms of 2024
- Extends tax exclusion to disaster assistance for housing developers who received awards under the State Disaster New Housing Grant Program
- Adjusts insurance regulations to better protect consumers and homeowners from unfair practices
- Modifies emergency funds transfer authority in times of disaster to ensure state government’s flexible response to disasters
- Adds $2 million to the Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Fund to help with demolition costs for disaster-damaged buildings
- Sets up the new Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund to build resiliency from future disasters