(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds signed the disaster relief bill into law today (Tuesday) that is designed to streamline the disaster assistance process. The Governor said in a bill signing statement that the tornadoes and widespread flooding in 2024 affected tens of thousands of Iowans, and relief programs have proven vital for families and communities to regain their footing and restart their lives.

The bill includes nearly 12 million dollars to help repair homes, along with two million dollars to help cities demolish damaged buildings. It puts 19 million dollars in a revolving loan fund for projects that prepare for future floods, droughts, wildfires and severe storms.

• 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