A. Sections 7 through 12 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the “Oklahoma Flood Hazard Mitigation Program”.

B. The purposes of the Oklahoma Flood Hazard Mitigation Program are to provide:

1. An orderly and continuing means of assistance by the state government to political subdivisions of this state in carrying out their responsibilities to alleviate the suffering and damage that result from flooding by:

a.providing state assistance programs for public losses and needs sustained in flood disasters,

b.encouraging the development of comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities, and organizations by the state and political subdivisions,

c.achieving greater coordination and responsiveness of flood disaster preparedness and relief programs, and

d.encouraging hazard mitigation measures, such as development of land-use and construction regulations, floodplain management, and environmental planning, to reduce losses from flood disasters in municipalities;

2. For the protection of life and property and to limit the repetitive expenditures of public funds in areas that are subject to chronic flooding and other flood disasters;

3. Financial assistance to local governments for the development and implementation of flood hazard mitigation projects;

4. For the cooperation of state environmental agencies and other state and federal agencies in the development and implementation of the Oklahoma Flood Hazard Mitigation Program; and

5. For the establishment of land development principles which will eliminate inappropriate and unsafe real estate development in municipal areas subject to repetitive or chronic flooding.

Added by Laws 1999, c. 57, § 7, eff. July 1, 1999.