June 22, 2023

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Florida and Texas are two states on the front lines of flooding: With over a thousand miles of coastline between the states, each faces similar threats of rising sea levels, as well as stronger and more frequent storms.

Despite these vulnerabilities, Florida and Texas are also two of the most prepared states in the country — thanks largely to recent efforts and historic investments put forward by their state legislatures. 

In Florida, the legislature this session expanded sea level rise studies and increased funding for data, modeling, and flood projects and planning. In Texas, the legislature directed billions of dollars toward water infrastructure and flood protection, including through its first-ever statewide flood plan. 

The American Flood Coalition was proud to work on the ground in Tallahassee and Austin, championing many of the initiatives passed and working with the legislature and coalition partners to increase funding for flood resilience. 

Together, the two state sessions advanced major legislation that will build resilience and protect communities and properties throughout Florida and Texas. 

Florida

With over 800 miles of coastline, as well as its porous and low-lying topography, Florida is especially vulnerable to increasing threats from rising sea levels and stronger storms. But rather than shy away from these challenges, lawmakers are confronting them head on. 

2023 progress in flood resilience

With historic investments in flood resilience through Always Ready and the state budget, the Florida State Legislature has a strong track record of prioritizing resilience in the face of flooding. And this year was no different.

• The Florida State Legislature unanimously passed House Bill 111 to expand Sea Level Rise Impact Projection (SLIP) studies beyond the coastal construction zone. Whereas previously SLIP studies were required only for publicly funded construction projects in coastal areas, under the new bill SLIP studies would be required for publicly funded construction projects in any area threatened by sea level rise.
• The legislature expanded the type of entities eligible for Resilient Florida grants to include water management districts. Resilient Florida grants are used to support both planning for and construction of flood resilient projects, and now water management districts can access these funds for data creation, collection, and modeling to support the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation. 
• The legislature expanded the use of the planning grants to include feasibility studies and to offset the cost of permitting for nature-based solutions that reduce the impact of flooding and sea level rise.
• The legislature has also consistently used its budget to build flood resilience, including $327.5 million for resilience planning and infrastructure this coming fiscal year: $300 million to the Resilient Florida Flooding & Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan; $20 million to Resilient Florida Planning Grants; $5.5 million to the Flood Hub; and $2 million to Regional Resilience Coalitions. 

The American Flood Coalition was proud to support many of the legislative efforts by Florida’s House and Senate this session. For the SLIP bill, for example, we offered comments that contributed to the law’s final form. 

Under the leadership of a dedicated Florida Director, AFC has been involved in state policy to advance flood resilience for years, helping guide and advance significant flooding legislation, including: 

• Last year’s Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience bill, which permanently established a statewide resilience office and created the official position of Chief Resilience Officer
• 2021’s Always Ready law, which developed a statewide plan for investing in flood-resilient infrastructure and established recurring funding for flood projects.

Texas

Like Florida, Texas has seen its fair share of hurricanes and tropical storms that have caused damaging flooding and overwhelmed its infrastructure. And like Florida, the legislature has taken significant steps to protect communities against the impacts of recurring flooding.

2023 progress in flood resilience 

Since Hurricane Harvey struck in 2017, the Texas State Legislature has made strides to support communities in protecting against the impacts of recurring flooding. While storms continue to hit the state, every year the Texas House and Senate have taken steps to build more flood resilience. This year marked substantial progress toward that aim. 

• The Texas State Legislature allocated over a billion dollars more this year to upgrade flood infrastructure and prevent flooding, including:
  • $625 million for Texas’ Flood Infrastructure Fund to finance flood prevention projects included in the state’s first flood plan.
  • $550 million will go toward coastal resilience programs as part of the Gulf Coast Protection District, which serves to build resilience along Texas’s coast.
• This funding will sustain communities as the Texas Water Development Board finalizes the first iteration of the State Flood Plan, which will include over $40 billion in flooding needs in Texas. The investments will cover everything from studies to risk assessments to large-scale capital projects and will build off of the nearly $500 million already committed to over 130 flood projects.
• Additionally, the Texas Water Development Board and its water data initiative, along with the work of agencies and universities, will ensure updated data is available for localities when planning and designing water infrastructure projects.

The American Flood Coalition championed many of these initiatives in Texas, working with the legislature and coalition partners to increase state funding for flood studies and projects, enhancements of water data, Texas Water Development Board full-time equivalent positions, and the development of the State Flood Plan.

The funds allocated in 2023 builds on previous years: In 2019, the state legislature developed a statewide approach to funding and planning for flood mitigation projects — the first state to do so. The legislature has also created a dedicated fund for assisting localities with flood projects and appropriated billions of dollars for communities to prepare for and recover from floods. 

The future of flood resilience

With overwhelming bipartisan support for flood investments, both Florida and Texas are models for building smart, long-lasting flood resilience. The American Flood Coalition looks forward to continuing to work in both states to advance state policy that furthers this cause — ensuring residents are prepared for flooding impacts by investing in smart, forward-looking projects. 

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Photo at top: The Texas Capitol, Austin, Texas. Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress/Flickr