A new hurricane research project and a “national backstop” for state natural catastrophe insurance programs are among initiatives in bills presented to the US Congress last week.

In a bipartisan presentation, two Senators from Florida, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mel Martinez, presented six bills they hope will help insurers and their clients better cope in the aftermath of natural disasters.

The bills represent hope for a more consistent, national approach to rebuilding after a natural disaster. Important features are new individual savings accounts and restructured regulation of non-admitted insurers and reinsurers.

The Senators also called for tax breaks for businesses and homeowners undertaking mitigation efforts after a hurricane or tornado.