605—16.1(29D) Statutory authority, purpose, and general policy.
- 16.1(1) Statutory authority. The department of homeland security and emergency management (department) and the Iowa finance authority (authority) are jointly designated to administer the natural hazard mitigation financing program, also known as the STRLF. Authority to administer this fund is provided by Iowa Code chapter 29D as enacted by 2025 Iowa Acts, Senate File 619 (Senate File 619), and the federal STORM Act (42 U.S.C. §5135 as of July 1, 2025).
- 16.1(2) Purpose. This chapter provides the definitions and general project and program administration rules for the STRLF program.
- 16.1(3) Administration. The director may coordinate with the authority under the terms of an interagency agreement entered into pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 28E.
- 16.1(4) State capitalization grant. The STORM Act authorizes the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer capitalization grants to states for use in a revolving loan fund program. As allowed by the STORM Act, a portion of the capitalization grant, or of the STRLF itself, if necessary, may be used by the authority and the department to administer the STRLF program.
- 16.1(5) Project determination. A project must comply with this chapter, the IUP current at the time, Iowa Code chapter 29D as enacted by Senate File 619, and the STORM Act to be eligible for a STRLF loan. The department shall use a priority rating system outlined in the IUP to rank eligible projects for funding. STRLF assistance will be available to projects in priority order.
- 16.1(6) Decisions. Department decisions are final unless the loan applicant files a written request for reconsideration for review with the director within 30 days. The request must be addressed to the director and clearly state the decision in question and the basis for the reconsideration. The director will issue a written ruling on the request for reconsideration within 30 days of receiving the request. Final decisions of the department, including a ruling on a request for reconsideration, are subject to judicial review pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 17A.
[ARC 9818C, IAB 12/10/25, effective 1/14/26]