Gaydos Applauds House Passage of Landslide Insurance Legislation

HARRISBURG - Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) announced the approval of House Bill 589, the Protecting Pennsylvanians from Landslides Act, which passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday with strong bipartisan support. As the bill's prime co-sponsor, Gaydos has championed this legislation for years to help address the serious and growing risks of landslides and sinkholes that impact homeowners across the Commonwealth. House Bill 589 would establish a Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Program within the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The legislation would also provide insurance coverage for damage caused by natural landslides, slope movement and sinkholes. These types of incidents are not covered under most standard homeowners' insurance policies, leaving families with no financial assistance when disaster strikes. "This is commonsense legislation that offers real financial protection to families, boroughs and municipalities that have been left to fend for themselves for far too long," said Gaydos. "In western Pennsylvania, where our steep terrain and soft bedrock make landslides more likely, this program will offer much-needed peace of mind. But the reality is these risks are growing across the entire state due to more frequent flooding and extreme weather." The bill would create a governing board to administer the program and places oversight responsibility with the Pennsylvania auditor general. It also includes enforcement measures, including penalties for violations such as making false statements. Although the program will not cover landslides caused by human activity such as construction or drilling, it will offer critical support for damage resulting from natural causes. The legislation is designed to be fiscally responsible while addressing a significant coverage gap that has left many Pennsylvanians vulnerable to financial ruin. The program will be initially funded through the General Fund; however, once premium revenues are sufficient to sustain the program, those seed funds will be fully reimbursed to ensure no long-term cost to taxpayers. "This is a modest but meaningful measure that fills a real gap in our insurance system," said Gaydos. "It gives families a financial lifeline and helps communities build resilience as natural disasters become more common." House Bill 589 has been updated and strengthened with input from stakeholders and constituents and now heads to the Senate for further consideration. Representative Valerie Gaydos 44th Legislative District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Rick Leiner 717.260.6437 [email protected] RepGaydos.com / Facebook.com/RepGaydos

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