Committee approves bill to set FEMA-based minimums for manufactured, modular homes; allows local freeboard increases

The House Committee on Commerce on April 22 adopted amendments and reported House Bill 318 by Representative Gadbury favorably. The bill would require manufactured and modular homes installed in flood-prone areas to meet minimum standards consistent with FEMA and National Flood Insurance Program guidance and directs what installation information must appear on permits.

Gadbury said she revised the bill after stakeholder meetings and offered an amendment set (13-69) that clarified the measure would not preempt state or local jurisdictions from imposing higher elevation or freeboard requirements than the federal minimums. The amendment also requires any additional freeboard requirements to be applied uniformly based on the base flood elevation in the jurisdiction’s currently adopted Flood Insurance Rate Map.

Committee members from coastal and riverine parishes said the amendment addressed earlier concerns. Representative Hilferty and others confirmed the change preserved community-rating-system protections and would not erode local authority to adopt higher standards. The amendment passed by voice vote with no roll-call recorded in the transcript.

The committee then moved the bill favorably as amended. Several organizations filed information cards in support, including the Louisiana Manufactured Housing Association, the National Hazard Mitigation Association, and local police jury association representatives.

Votes at a glance: Amendment set 1369 adopted; committee reported House Bill 318 favorably as amended.