1. A home inspection and report that summarizes the results and identifies corrective actions a homeowner may take to mitigate hurricane damage.
2. A range of cost estimates regarding the mitigation features.
3. Insurer-specific information regarding premium discounts correlated to recommended mitigation features identified by the inspection.
4. A hurricane resistance rating scale specifying the home's current as well as projected wind resistance capabilities.
This data may be provided by trained and certified inspectors in standardized reporting formats and forms to ensure all data collected during inspections is equivalent in style and content that allows construction data, estimates and discount information to be easily assimilated into a database. Data pertaining to the number of inspections and inspection reports may be stored in a state database for evaluation of the program's success and review of state goals in reducing wind hazard loss in the state.
1. Use wind certification and hurricane mitigation inspectors who:
a. Have prior experience in residential and/or commercial construction or inspection and have received specialized training in hurricane mitigation procedures through the state certified program. In order to qualify for training in the inspection process, the individual should be either a licensed building code official, a licensed contractor or inspector in the State of Mississippi, or a civil engineer.
b. Have undergone drug testing and background checks.
c. Have been certified through a state mandated training program, in a manner satisfactory to the department, to conduct the inspections.
d. Have not been convicted of a felony crime of violence or of a sexual offense; have not received a first-time offender pardon or nonadjudication order for a felony crime of violence or of a sexual offense; or have not entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony charge of violence or of a sexual offense.
e. Submit a statement authorizing the Commissioner of Insurance to order fingerprint analysis or any other analysis or documents deemed necessary by the commissioner for the purpose of verifying the criminal history of the individual. The commissioner shall have the authority to conduct criminal history verification on a local, state or national level, and shall have the authority to require the individual to pay for the costs of such criminal history verification.
2. Provide a quality assurance program including a reinspection component.
3. Have data collection equipment and computer systems, so that data can be submitted electronically to the state's database of inspection reports, insurance certificates, and other industry information related to this program. It is mandatory that all inspectors provide original copies to the property owner of any inspection reports, estimates, etc., pertaining to the inspection and keep a copy of all inspection materials on hand for state audits.
Members appointed under subparagraphs (i) and (ii) shall serve at the pleasure of the Department of Insurance. All other members shall serve as voting ex officio members. Members of the advisory council who are not legislators, state officials or state employees shall be compensated at the per diem rate authorized by Section 25-3-69, and shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41, for mileage and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Legislative members of the advisory council shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the advisory council may be paid while the Legislature is in session. No advisory council member may incur per diem, travel or other expenses unless previously authorized by vote, at a meeting of the council, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting. Nonlegislative members shall be paid from any funds made available to the advisory council for that purpose.