H.R. 5484

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5484 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5484

To reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 18, 2025

Mr. Pallone (for himself and Mr. Higgins of Louisiana) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial 
Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``National Flood Insurance Program 
Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION AND AFFORDABILITY

Sec. 101. Reauthorization.
Sec. 102. Cap on annual premium increases.
Sec. 103. Targeted means-tested assistance.
Sec. 104. Optional monthly installment premium payment plans.
Sec. 105. Study on business interruption coverage.
Sec. 106. Cooperative coverage fairness.
Sec. 107. Coverage limits.
Sec. 108. Study on participation rates.
Sec. 109. National Flood Insurance Act definitions regarding the Write 
Your Own Program.
TITLE II--MITIGATION AND MAPPING

Sec. 201. Mitigation for high-risk properties.
Sec. 202. Increased cost of compliance coverage.
Sec. 203. Flood mitigation assistance grants.
Sec. 204. Urban mitigation opportunities.
Sec. 205. Community Rating System Regional Coordinator.
Sec. 206. Mitigation loan program.
Sec. 207. Revolving loan funds.
Sec. 208. Mapping modernization.
Sec. 209. Appeals.
Sec. 210. Levee-protected areas.
Sec. 211. Community-wide flood mitigation activities.
Sec. 212. Premium calculator.
Sec. 213. Consideration of mitigation projects in flood insurance 
premium rates.
TITLE III--SOLVENCY

Sec. 301. Forbearance on NFIP interest payments.
Sec. 302. Cap on Write Your Own company compensation.
Sec. 303. Third-party service provider costs; transparency.
Sec. 304. Availability of NFIP claims data.
Sec. 305. Refusal of mitigation assistance.
Sec. 306. Multiple structure mitigation.
TITLE IV--POLICYHOLDER PROTECTION AND FAIRNESS

Sec. 401. Earth movement fix and engineer standards.
Sec. 402. Coverage of pre-FIRM condominium basements and study on 
street raising.
Sec. 403. Guidance on remediation and policyholder duties.
Sec. 404. Appeal of decisions relating to flood insurance coverage.
Sec. 405. Accountability for underpayments and overpayments by Write 
Your Own companies.
Sec. 406. Policyholders' right to know.
Sec. 407. Termination of certain contracts under the National Flood 
Insurance Program.
Sec. 408. Deadline for claim processing.
Sec. 409. No manipulation of engineer reports.
Sec. 410. Improved training of floodplain managers, agents, and 
adjusters.
Sec. 411. Flood insurance continuing education and training.
Sec. 412. Shifting of attorney fees and other expenses.
Sec. 413. DOJ defense against policyholder lawsuits.
Sec. 414. Reforming use of proof of loss forms.
Sec. 415. Agent Advisory Council.
Sec. 416. Disclosure of flood risk information prior to transfer of 
property.
Sec. 417. Grace period for renewal of coverage at renewal offer rate.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(2) National flood insurance program.--The term ``National 
Flood Insurance Program'' means the program established under 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et 
seq.).
(3) National flood mitigation fund.--The term ``National 
Flood Mitigation Fund'' means the fund established under 
section 1367 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4104d).
(4) Write your own company.--The term ``Write Your Own 
Company'' has the meaning given the term in section 1370(a) of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4121(a)), 
as amended by section 109 of this Act.

TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION AND AFFORDABILITY

SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION.

(a) In General.--
(1) Financing.--Section 1309(a) of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4016(a)) is amended by 
striking ``September 30, 2023'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2030''.
(2) Program expiration.--Section 1319 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4026) is amended by striking 
``September 30, 2023'' and inserting ``September 30, 2030''.
(3) Retroactive effective date.--If this Act is enacted 
after September 30, 2025, the amendments made by paragraphs (1) 
and (2) shall take effect as if enacted on September 30, 2025.
(b) Continued Operation During Lapse of Appropriations.--Section 
1310(f) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4017(f)) 
is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(f)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2)(A) In this paragraph, the term `period of a lapse in 
appropriations from the Fund' means a period, on or after the first day 
of a fiscal year, during which an appropriation Act for the fiscal year 
with respect to the Fund has not been enacted and continuing 
appropriations are not in effect for the fiscal year with respect to 
the Fund.
``(B) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), during a period of a lapse in 
appropriations from the Fund, amounts in the Fund not otherwise 
appropriated shall be available to the Administrator to carry out the 
flood insurance program under this title, subject to the same terms and 
conditions (except with respect to the period of availability), and in 
an amount not greater than the rate for operations, provided for the 
Fund in the most recently enacted regular or continuing appropriation 
Act.
``(C) Amounts in the Fund shall be available under subparagraph (B) 
for a fiscal year during the period beginning on the first day of a 
period of a lapse in appropriations from the Fund during the fiscal 
year and ending on the date on which the regular appropriation Act for 
the fiscal year with respect to the Fund is enacted (whether or not 
such law makes amounts available from the Fund) or a law making 
continuing appropriations with respect to the Fund is enacted, as the 
case may be.
``(D) Expenditures and obligations made under this paragraph shall 
be charged to the amounts made available from the Fund under the 
regular appropriation Act, or law making continuing appropriations, 
with respect to the Fund that is enacted for the applicable fiscal 
year.''.

SEC. 102. CAP ON ANNUAL PREMIUM INCREASES.

(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered cost''--
(1) means--
(A) the amount of an annual premium with respect to 
any policy for flood insurance under the National Flood 
Insurance Program;
(B) any surcharge imposed with respect to a policy 
described in subparagraph (A) (other than a surcharge 
imposed under section 1304(b) of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011(b))), including a 
surcharge imposed under section 1308A(a) of that Act 
(42 U.S.C. 4015a(a)), as amended by this Act; and
(C) a fee described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii) or (2) 
of section 1307(a) of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(a)); and
(2) does not include any cost associated with the purchase 
of insurance under section 1304(b) of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011(b)), as amended by this 
Act, including any surcharge that relates to insurance 
purchased under such section 1304(b).
(b) Limitation on Increases.--
(1) Limitation.--
(A) In general.--During the 5-year period beginning 
on the date of enactment of this Act, notwithstanding 
section 1308(e) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015(e)), as amended by this Act, and 
subject to subparagraph (B), the Administrator may not, 
in any year, increase the amount of any covered cost by 
an amount that is more than 9 percent, as compared with 
the amount of the covered cost during the previous 
year, except where the increase in the covered cost 
relates to an exception under paragraph (1)(C)(iii) of 
such section 1308(e).
(B) Decrease of amount of deductible or increase in 
amount of coverage.--In the case of a policyholder 
described in section 1308(e)(1)(C)(ii) of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4015(e)(1)(C)(ii)), as amended by this Act, the 
Administrator shall establish a process by which the 
Administrator determines an increase in covered costs 
for the policyholder that is--
(i) proportional to the relative change in 
risk based on the action taken by the 
policyholder; and
(ii) in compliance with subparagraph (A).
(2) New rating systems.--
(A) Classification.--With respect to a property, 
the limitation under paragraph (1) shall remain in 
effect for each year until the covered costs with 
respect to the property reflect full actuarial rates, 
without regard to whether, at any time until the year 
in which those covered costs reflect full actuarial 
rates, the property is rated or classified under the 
Risk Rating 2.0 methodology (or any substantially 
similar methodology).
(B) New policyholder.--If a property to which the 
limitation under paragraph (1) applies is sold before 
the covered costs for the property reflect full 
actuarial rates determined under the Risk Rating 2.0 
methodology (or any substantially similar methodology), 
that limitation shall remain in effect for each year 
until the year in which those full actuarial rates take 
effect.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (b) may be 
construed as prohibiting the Administrator from reducing, in any year, 
the amount of any covered cost, as compared with the amount of the 
covered cost during the previous year.
(d) Average Historical Loss Year.--Section 1308 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015) is amended by striking 
subsection (h) and inserting the following:
``(h) Rule of Construction.--For purposes of this section, the 
calculation of an `average historical loss year' shall be computed in 
accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles.''.
(e) Disclosure With Respect to the Affordability Standard.--Section 
1308(j) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015(j)) 
is amended, in the second sentence, by inserting ``and shall include in 
the report the number of those exceptions as of the date on which the 
Administrator submits the report and the location of each policyholder 
insured under those exceptions, organized by county and State'' after 
``of the Senate''.

SEC. 103. TARGETED MEANS-TESTED ASSISTANCE.

(a) Means-Tested Program.--
(1) In general.--Chapter I of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 1308A (42 U.S.C. 4015a) the following:

``SEC. 1308B. FLOOD INSURANCE ASSISTANCE.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered property.--The term `covered property' 
means--
``(A) a primary residential dwelling designed for 
the occupancy of from 1 to 4 families; or
``(B) personal property relating to a dwelling 
described in subparagraph (A).
``(2) Eligible policyholder.--The term `eligible 
policyholder' means a policyholder with a household income that 
is not more than 140 percent of the area median income for the 
area in which the property to which the policy applies is 
located.
``(3) Housing expenses.--The term `housing expenses' means, 
with respect to a household, the total amount that the 
household spends in a year on--
``(A) mortgage payments or rent;
``(B) property taxes;
``(C) homeowners insurance; and
``(D) premiums for flood insurance under the 
national flood insurance program.
``(4) Insurance costs.--The term `insurance costs' means, 
with respect to a covered property for a year--
``(A) risk premiums and fees estimated under 
section 1307 and charged under section 1308;
``(B) surcharges assessed under sections 1304 and 
1308A; and
``(C) any amount established under section 
1310A(c).
``(b) Authority.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, 
the Administrator is authorized to carry out a means-tested program 
under which the Administrator provides assistance to eligible 
policyholders in the form of graduated discounts for insurance costs 
with respect to covered properties.
``(c) Eligibility.--To determine eligibility for means-tested 
assistance under this section, the Administrator may accept any of the 
following with respect to an eligible policyholder:
``(1) Income verification from the National Directory of 
New Hires established under section 453(i) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(i)).
``(2) A self-certification of eligibility by the eligible 
policyholder that is provided under penalty of perjury pursuant 
to section 1746 of title 28, United States Code.
``(3) Any other method identified by the Administrator in 
interim guidance, or a final rule, issued under subsection (e).
``(d) Discount.--The Administrator may establish graduated 
discounts available to eligible policyholders under this section, which 
shall be based on the following factors:
``(1) The percentage by which the household income of an 
eligible policyholder is equal to, or less than, 120 percent of 
the area median income for the area in which the property to 
which the policy applies is located.
``(2) The housing expenses of an eligible policyholder.
``(3) The number of eligible policyholders participating in 
the program established under this section.
``(4) The availability of funding.
``(5) Any other factor that the Administrator finds 
reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
section.
``(e) Implementation.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall issue final 
rules to implement this section.
``(2) Interim guidance.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator 
shall issue interim guidance to implement this section, 
which shall--
``(i) include--
``(I) a description of how the 
Administrator will determine--
``(aa) eligibility for 
households to participate in 
the program established under 
this section; and
``(bb) assistance levels 
for eligible households to 
which assistance is provided 
under this section;
``(II) the methodology that the 
Administrator will use to determine the 
amount of assistance provided to 
eligible households under this section; 
and
``(III) any requirements to which 
eligible policyholders to which 
assistance is provided under this 
section will be subject; and
``(ii) expire on the later of--
``(I) the date that is 84 months 
after the date of enactment of this 
section; or
``(II) the date on which the final 
rules issued under paragraph (1) take 
effect.
``(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in 
subparagraph (A) may be construed to preclude the 
Administrator from amending the interim guidance issued 
under that subparagraph.
``(f) Collection of Demographic Information.--The Administrator, in 
order to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of this section, and to 
comply with the reporting requirements under subsection (g), may 
request demographic information, and other information, with respect to 
an eligible policyholder to which assistance is provided under this 
section, which may include--
``(1) the income of the eligible policyholder, as compared 
with the area median income for the area in which the property 
to which the policy applies is located; and
``(2) demographic characteristics of the eligible 
policyholder, including the race and ethnicity of the eligible 
policyholder.
``(g) Reports to Congress.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this section, and biennially thereafter, the 
Administrator shall submit to Congress a report regarding the 
implementation and effectiveness of this section.
``(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include information regarding, for the period covered by 
the report--
``(A) the distribution of household area median 
income for eligible policyholders to which assistance 
is provided under this section;
``(B) the number of eligible policyholders to which 
assistance is provided under this section, which shall 
be disaggregated by income and demographic 
characteristics;
``(C) the cost of providing assistance under this 
section; and
``(D) the average amount of assistance provided to 
an eligible policyholder under this section, which 
shall be disaggregated as described in subparagraph 
(B).
``(h) Risk Communication.--For the purposes of the communication 
required under section 1308(l), the Administrator shall provide to an 
eligible policyholder to which assistance is provided under this 
section a full flood risk determination with respect to the property of 
the eligible policyholder, which shall reflect the insurance costs with 
respect to the property before that assistance is provided.
``(i) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this 
section--
``(A) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
``(B) $340,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(C) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(D) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
``(E) $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
``(2) Notification.--If, in a fiscal year, the 
Administrator determines that the amount made available to 
carry out this section is insufficient to provide assistance 
under this section, the Administrator shall submit to Congress 
a notification of the remaining amounts necessary to provide 
that assistance for that fiscal year.
``(3) Distribution of premium.--With respect to the amount 
of the discounts provided under this section in a fiscal year, 
and any administrative expenses incurred in carrying out this 
section for that fiscal year, the Administrator shall, from 
amounts made available to carry out this section for that 
fiscal year, deposit in the National Flood Insurance Fund 
established under section 1310 an amount equal to those 
discounts and administrative expenses, except to the extent 
that section 1310A applies to any portion of those discounts or 
administrative expenses, in which case the Administrator shall 
deposit an amount equal to those amounts to which section 1310A 
applies in the National Flood Insurance Reserve Fund 
established under section 1310A.''.
(2) Use of savings.--In addition to any amounts made 
available to the Administrator to carry out section 1308B of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as added by paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall use any amounts saved as a direct 
result of the amendments made by section 302(a) of this Act to 
carry out such section 1308B.
(b) National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.--The National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 1308(e) (42 U.S.C. 4015(e))--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' 
at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (C)(iii), by adding 
``or'' at the end; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) in the case of a property with respect to 
which assistance is provided under section 1308B, if--
``(i) the applicable policyholder is no 
longer eligible to receive assistance under 
that section;
``(ii) the assistance so provided has been 
decreased under that section; or
``(iii) the Administrator is not 
authorized, or lacks appropriated funds, to 
carry out that section;''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``period; and'' 
and inserting the following: ``period, except in the 
case of a property with respect to which assistance is 
provided under section 1308B if a condition described 
in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (1)(D) is 
applicable; and''; and
(2) in section 1366(d) (42 U.S.C. 4104c(d))--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
(4); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Flood insurance assistance.--In the case of 
mitigation activities to structures insured by policyholders 
that are eligible for assistance under section 1308B, in an 
amount up to 100 percent of all eligible costs.''.
(c) Information Comparisons With the National Directory of New 
Hires for Flood Insurance Assistance Income Verification.--Section 
453(j) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(12) Information comparisons for flood insurance 
assistance.--
``(A) Furnishing of information by fema.--The 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency (in this paragraph, referred to as the 
`Administrator') shall furnish to the Secretary, on 
such periodic basis as determined by the Administrator 
in consultation with the Secretary, information in the 
custody of the Administrator for comparison with 
information in the National Directory of New Hires, in 
order to obtain information in such Directory with 
respect to individuals who are applying for, or 
receiving benefits under, section 1308B of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
``(B) Requirement to seek minimum information.--The 
Administrator shall seek information pursuant to this 
paragraph only to the extent necessary to verify the 
employment and income of individuals described in 
subparagraph (A).
``(C) Duties of the secretary.--
``(i) Information disclosure.--The 
Secretary, in cooperation with the 
Administrator, shall compare information in the 
National Directory of New Hires with 
information provided by the Administrator with 
respect to individuals described in 
subparagraph (A), and shall disclose 
information in such Directory regarding such 
individuals to the Administrator, in accordance 
with this paragraph, for the purposes specified 
in this paragraph.
``(ii) Condition on disclosure.--The 
Secretary shall make disclosures in accordance 
with clause (i) only to the extent that the 
Secretary determines that such disclosures do 
not interfere with the effective operation of 
the program under this part.
``(D) Use of information by fema.--The 
Administrator may use information resulting from a data 
match pursuant to this paragraph only--
``(i) for the purpose of verifying the 
employment and income of individuals described 
in subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) after removal of personal 
identifiers, to conduct analyses of the 
employment and income reporting of individuals 
described in subparagraph (A).
``(E) Disclosure of information by fema.--
``(i) Purpose of disclosure.--The 
Administrator may make a disclosure under this 
subparagraph only for the purpose of verifying 
the employment and income of individuals 
described in subparagraph (A).
``(ii) Disclosures permitted.--Subject to 
clause (iii), the Administrator may disclose 
information resulting from a data match 
pursuant to this paragraph only to contractors 
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
private insurance companies participating in 
the Write Your Own Program of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, the Inspector 
General of the Department of Homeland Security, 
and the Attorney General, in connection with 
the administration of a program described in 
subparagraph (A). Information obtained by the 
Administrator pursuant to this paragraph shall 
not be made available under section 552 of 
title 5, United States Code.
``(iii) Conditions on disclosure.--
Disclosures under this paragraph shall be--
``(I) made in accordance with data 
security and control policies 
established by the Administrator and 
approved by the Secretary;
``(II) subject to audit in a manner 
satisfactory to the Secretary; and
``(III) subject to the sanctions 
under subsection (l)(2).
``(iv) Restrictions on redisclosure.--A 
person or entity to which information is 
disclosed under this subparagraph may use or 
disclose such information only as needed for 
verifying the employment and income of 
individuals described in subparagraph (A), 
subject to the conditions in clause (iii) and 
such additional conditions as agreed to by the 
Secretary and the Administrator.
``(F) Reimbursement of hhs costs.--The 
Administrator shall reimburse the Secretary, in 
accordance with subsection (k)(3), for the costs 
incurred by the Secretary in furnishing the information 
requested under this paragraph.
``(G) Consent.--The Administrator shall not seek, 
use, or disclose information under this paragraph 
relating to an individual without the prior written 
consent of such individual (or of a person legally 
authorized to consent on behalf of such individual).''.

SEC. 104. OPTIONAL MONTHLY INSTALLMENT PREMIUM PAYMENT PLANS.

Section 1308(g) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4015(g)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``With respect to'' and inserting the 
following:
``(1) Annual or monthly option.--Subject to paragraph (2), 
with respect to''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Monthly installment.--With respect to a policyholder 
that opts under paragraph (1) to pay premiums on a monthly 
basis, the Administrator may charge the policyholder an annual 
fee of not more than $15.
``(3) Exemption from rule making; pilot program.--During 
the period beginning on the date of enactment of this paragraph 
and ending on the date on which the Administrator promulgates 
regulations carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator may, 
notwithstanding any other provision of law--
``(A) adopt policies and procedures to carry out 
that paragraph without--
``(i) undergoing notice and comment rule 
making under section 553 of title 5, United 
States Code; or
``(ii) conducting regulatory analyses 
otherwise required by statute, regulation, or 
Executive order; or
``(B) carry out that paragraph by establishing a 
pilot program that gradually implements the 
requirements of that paragraph.''.

SEC. 105. STUDY ON BUSINESS INTERRUPTION COVERAGE.

(a) In General.--The Administrator shall conduct a study on the 
feasibility and soundness of offering coverage under the National Flood 
Insurance Program for interruption business losses caused by a flood 
(referred to in this section as ``business interruption coverage'').
(b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall, at a minimum--
(1) evaluate insurance industry best practices for offering 
business interruption coverage, including the types of coverage 
provided and the utilization rate;
(2) estimate the potential risk premium rates for business 
interruption coverage based on the flood risk reflected in the 
flood insurance rate map or other risk metrics in effect at the 
time of purchase;
(3) analyze the operational and administrative expenses 
associated with providing business interruption coverage and 
adjusting claims;
(4) identify potential obstacles that may prevent the 
Administrator from offering business interruption coverage;
(5) evaluate the benefits of providing business 
interruption coverage;
(6) analyze any potential impacts on the financial position 
of the National Flood Insurance Program; and
(7) develop a feasibility implementation plan and projected 
timelines for offering business interruption coverage.
(c) Availability of Experts.--In conducting the study under 
subsection (a), the Administrator may accept and utilize the personnel 
and services of any other Federal agency, and appoint and fix the 
compensation of temporary personnel without regard to the provisions of 
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service, or employ experts and consultants in accordance with the 
provisions of section 3109 of such title, without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
(d) Deadline.--The Administrator shall complete the study required 
under subsection (a) not later than September 30 of the second full 
fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 106. COOPERATIVE COVERAGE FAIRNESS.

(a) In General.--Section 1306 of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4013) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Cooperatives.--
``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term 
`cooperative building' has the meaning given the term in 
section 1312(d).
``(2) Equal treatment with condominiums.--Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, an owner of a share of a 
cooperative building shall be eligible to purchase flood 
insurance coverage under the national flood insurance program 
on the same terms as a condominium owner.''.
(b) Payment of Claims.--Section 1312 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and 
Cooperative'' after ``Condominium'';
(B) by inserting ``, or owners of a share of a 
cooperative building,'' after ``condominium owners''; 
and
(C) by inserting ``or cooperative association'' 
after ``condominium association'' each place that term 
appears; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `cooperative 
association' and `cooperative building' have the meanings given the 
terms by the Administrator.''.

SEC. 107. COVERAGE LIMITS.

(a) In General.--Section 1306 of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4013), as amended by section 106(a), is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ``In addition to any other terms and 
conditions under subsection (a), such regulations'' and 
inserting ``The Administrator'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``shall be made'' and 
inserting ``may be made''; and
(ii) by striking ``$250,000'' and inserting 
``the baseline amount'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``shall be made'' and 
inserting ``may be made''; and
(ii) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting 
``50 percent of the baseline amount''; and
(D) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``shall be made'' each 
place that term appears and inserting ``may be 
made''; and
(ii) by striking ``$500,000'' each place 
that term appears and inserting ``200 percent 
of the baseline amount''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Definition.--Subject to paragraph (2), in this section, the 
term `baseline amount' means an amount determined by the Administrator 
that is equal to the maximum original principal obligation of a 
conventional mortgage secured by a single-family residence that may be 
purchased by the Federal National Mortgage Association, as established 
under the seventh sentence of section 302(b)(2) of the Federal National 
Mortgage Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2)), which the 
Administrator may not--
``(1) increase more than once every 5 years;
``(2) increase with respect to any particular property 
pursuant to the 11th or 12th sentence of such section 
302(b)(2); or
``(3) decrease.''.
(b) Authority of Administrator To Sell Policies.--The Administrator 
may sell a policy for flood insurance under the National Flood 
Insurance Program that meets the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3), 
and (4) of section 1306(b) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4013(b)), as amended by subsection (a), without regard to--
(1) section 61.6 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this 
Act; or
(2) any other provision of law.

SEC. 108. STUDY ON PARTICIPATION RATES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``500-year floodplain'' has the meaning given 
the term in section 100202(a) of the Biggert-Waters Flood 
Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (40 U.S.C. 4004(a));
(2) the terms ``Federal agency lender'', ``improved real 
estate'', and ``regulated lending institution'' have the 
meanings given those terms in section 3(a) of the Flood 
Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4003(a)); and
(3) the term ``property with a Federally backed mortgage'' 
means improved real estate or a mobile home securing a loan 
that was--
(A) made by a regulated lending institution or 
Federal agency lender; or
(B) purchased by the Federal National Mortgage 
Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
Corporation.
(b) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study that proposes to address, through programmatic and 
regulatory changes, how to increase the rate at which properties in the 
United States are covered by flood insurance.
(c) Considerations.--In conducting the study required under 
subsection (b), the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) consider--
(A) expanding participation in the National Flood 
Insurance Program beyond areas having special flood 
hazards to areas of moderate or minimum risk with 
respect to flooding;
(B) automatically enrolling consumers in the 
National Flood Insurance Program and providing those 
consumers with the opportunity to decline such 
enrollment; and
(C) bundling flood insurance coverage that 
diversifies risk across all or multiple forms of peril;
(2) determine--
(A) the percentage of properties with Federally 
backed mortgages located in an area having special 
flood hazards that are covered by flood insurance that 
satisfies the requirement under section 102(b) of the 
Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 
4012a(b)); and
(B) the percentage of properties with Federally 
backed mortgages located in the 500-year floodplain 
that are covered by flood insurance that would satisfy 
the requirement described in subparagraph (A) if that 
requirement applied to such properties; and
(3) conduct a comprehensive assessment of the economic and 
social impacts of implementing Risk Rating 2.0 (or any 
substantially similar methodology) during the 20-year period 
beginning in the year in which the assessment is made, which 
shall include an evaluation of the effect that such 
implementation will have, during that 20-year period, on--
(A) the affordability and availability of flood 
insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program;
(B) property values;
(C) the amount of Federal disaster aid for 
properties that are not covered by flood insurance, 
whether under the National Flood Insurance Program or 
otherwise; and
(D) non-Federal Government revenues.
(d) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate 
and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives 
a report regarding the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(b).

SEC. 109. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE ACT DEFINITIONS REGARDING THE WRITE 
YOUR OWN PROGRAM.

Section 1370(a) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4121(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (15), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(16) the term `Write Your Own Program' means the program 
under which the Federal Emergency Management Agency enters into 
a standard arrangement with private property insurance 
companies to--
``(A) sell contracts for Federal flood insurance 
under their own business lines of insurance; and
``(B) adjust and pay claims arising under the 
contracts described in subparagraph (A); and
``(17) the term `Write Your Own Company' means a private 
property insurance company that participates in the Write Your 
Own Program.''.

TITLE II--MITIGATION AND MAPPING

SEC. 201. MITIGATION FOR HIGH-RISK PROPERTIES.

(a) In General.--Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
``(n) Flood Mitigation Activities.--The President shall set aside 
from the Disaster Relief Fund an amount equal to 10 percent of the 
average amount appropriated to the Fund during the preceding 10 fiscal 
years to provide assistance for mitigation activities under section 
1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104c) 
for--
``(1) severe repetitive loss structures; and
``(2) properties insured under the national flood insurance 
program with the largest increase in the actuarial risk for the 
property compared to the actuarial risk for the previous fiscal 
year as a result of Risk Rating 2.0, as in effect on October 1, 
2021.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made to section 203 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5133) by subsection (a) shall apply to funds appropriated on or after 
the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Effective on October 5, 
2025, section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133) is amended by redesignating 
subsection (n), as added by subsection (a) of this section, as 
subsection (m).

SEC. 202. INCREASED COST OF COMPLIANCE COVERAGE.

Section 1304(b) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4011(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
through (D) as clauses (i) through (iv), respectively, and 
adjusting the margins accordingly;
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and adjusting the 
margins accordingly;
(3) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by striking 
the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(4) by redesignating paragraph (4) as subparagraph (F), and 
adjusting the margins accordingly;
(5) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(D) properties identified by the Administrator as 
priorities for mitigation activities before the 
occurrence of damage to or loss of property which is 
covered by flood insurance;
``(E) properties outside an area having special 
flood hazards if the communities in which the 
properties are located have, under section 1361, 
established land use and control measures for the areas 
in which the properties are located; and'';
(6) by inserting before ``The national flood insurance 
program'' the following: ``(1) In general.--'';
(7) in the flush text following subparagraph (F)(iv), as so 
redesignated, by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting 
the following:
``(2) Premium.--The Administrator''; and
(8) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Amount of Coverage.--Each policy for flood insurance coverage 
made available under this title shall provide coverage under this 
subsection having an aggregate liability for any single property of 
$120,000.
``(4) Eligible Mitigation Activities.--
``(A) In general.--Eligible mitigation methods the cost of 
which is covered by coverage provided under this subsection 
shall include--
``(i) alternative methods of mitigation identified 
in the guidelines issued pursuant to section 1361(d);
``(ii) pre-disaster mitigation projects for 
eligible structures; and
``(iii) costs associated with the purchase, 
clearing, and stabilization of property that is part of 
an acquisition or relocation project that complies with 
subparagraph (B).
``(B) Acquisition and relocation project eligibility and 
requirements.--
``(i) In general.--An acquisition or relocation 
project shall be eligible to receive assistance 
pursuant to subparagraph (A)(iii) only if--
``(I) any property acquired, accepted, or 
from which a structure will be removed shall be 
dedicated and maintained in perpetuity for a 
use that is compatible with open space, 
recreational, or wetland and natural floodplain 
management practices; and
``(II) any new structure erected on such 
property will be--
``(aa) a public facility that is 
open on all sides and functionally 
related to a designated open space;
``(bb) a restroom; or
``(cc) a structure that the 
Administrator approves in writing 
before the commencement of the 
construction of the structure.
``(ii) Further assistance.--If an acquisition or 
relocation project is assisted pursuant to subparagraph 
(A)(iii)--
``(I) no person may apply to a Federal 
entity for disaster assistance with regard to 
any property acquired, accepted, or from which 
a structure was removed as part of such 
acquisition or relocation project; and
``(II) no Federal entity may provide 
disaster assistance for such property.
``(iii) Requirement to maintain flood insurance 
coverage.--
``(I) In general.--Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, any assisted structure 
shall, at all times, maintain insurance against 
flood damage, in accordance with Federal law, 
for the life of such structure.
``(II) Transfer of property.--
``(aa) Duty to notify.--If any part 
of a property on which an assisted 
structure is located is transferred, 
the transferor shall, not later than 
the date on which such transfer occurs, 
notify the transferee in writing, 
including in all documents evidencing 
the transfer of ownership of the 
property, that such transferee is 
required to--
``(AA) obtain flood 
insurance in accordance with 
applicable Federal law with 
respect to such assisted 
structure, if such structure is 
not so insured on the date on 
which the structure is 
transferred; and
``(BB) maintain flood 
insurance in accordance with 
applicable Federal law with 
respect to such structure.
``(bb) Failure to notify.--If a 
transferor fails to make a notification 
in accordance with item (aa) and such 
assisted structure is damaged by a 
flood disaster, the transferor shall 
pay the Federal Government an amount 
equal to the amount of any disaster 
relief provided by the Federal 
Government with respect to such 
assisted structure.
``(III) Assisted structure defined.--For 
the purposes of this clause, the term `assisted 
structure' means a structure on property that 
is part of an acquisition or relocation project 
assisted pursuant to subparagraph (A) that was, 
as part of such acquisition or relocation 
project--
``(aa) altered;
``(bb) improved;
``(cc) replaced;
``(dd) repaired; or
``(ee) restored.
``(C) Eligible structure defined.--For purposes of this 
paragraph, the term `eligible structure' means any structure 
that--
``(i) was constructed in compliance with the Flood 
Insurance Rate Map and local building and zoning codes 
in effect on the date of construction of the structure; 
and
``(ii) has not previously been altered, improved, 
replaced, or repaired using assistance provided under 
this subsection.
``(5) Treatment of Coverage Limits.--Any amount of coverage 
provided for a property pursuant to this subsection shall not be 
considered or counted for purposes of any limitation on coverage 
applicable to such property under section 1306(b) and any claim on such 
coverage shall not be considered a claim for purposes of section 
1307(h) or subsection (a)(3) or (h)(3) of section 1366.
``(6) Implementation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the Administrator may implement this subsection by adopting 1 or more 
standard endorsements to the Standard Flood Insurance Policy by 
publication of such standards in the Federal Register, or by comparable 
means.''.

SEC. 203. FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

(a) Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program Priority.--Section 
1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act (42 U.S.C. 4104c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) 
as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively, and 
adjusting the margins accordingly;
(B) in the second sentence of the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by striking 
``assistance shall be'' and inserting the following: 
``assistance shall--
``(1) be'';
(C) in paragraph (1)(C), as so redesignated, by 
striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; 
and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) in addition to the requirement under paragraph 
(1)(C), give priority to properties--
``(A) that are repetitive loss structures;
``(B) with respect to which the Administrator makes 
a determination that the premium rates with respect to 
a policy for flood insurance coverage under this 
title--
``(i) are unaffordable; or
``(ii) will soon become unaffordable as a 
result of a risk adjustment under Risk Rating 
2.0, as in effect on the date of that 
determination; and
``(C) for which aggregate losses exceed the 
replacement value of the properties.''; and
(2) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Unaffordable.--The term `unaffordable' means, with 
respect to the premium rates for a policy for flood insurance 
coverage under this title, that, in a year, those rates are in 
such an amount that the housing expenses (as defined in section 
1308B(a)) of the household that is the subject of the policy 
are, for that year, more than 30 percent of the adjusted gross 
income (as defined in section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986).''.
(b) Additional Mitigation Assistance.--
(1) Appropriations from general fund of treasury.--For each 
of the first 5 full fiscal years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 
to the National Flood Mitigation Fund to provide mitigation 
assistance under this subsection.
(2) Rule of construction.--The authorization of 
appropriations under subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to 
authorize the transfer or crediting to the National Flood 
Mitigation Fund of any amounts from the National Flood 
Insurance Fund.

SEC. 204. URBAN MITIGATION OPPORTUNITIES.

(a) Mitigation Strategies.--Section 1361(d)(1) of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4102(d)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end; 
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) with respect to buildings in dense urban 
environments, methods that can be deployed on a block 
or neighborhood scale; and
``(D) elevation of mechanical systems; and''.
(b) Mitigation Credit.--Section 1308(k) of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015(k)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``shall take into account'' and inserting 
``shall--
``(1) take into account'';
(2) in paragraph (1), as so designated, by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) offer a reduction of the risk premium rate charged to 
a policyholder in an amount that is not less than 10 percent of 
that rate if the policyholder implements any mitigation method 
described in paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 205. COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM REGIONAL COORDINATOR.

Section 1315(b) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4022(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Regional coordinator.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall appoint 
a regional coordinator in each region served by a 
Regional Office (as defined in section 501 of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311)) to 
provide technical assistance to small communities to 
enable those communities to effectively participate in 
and benefit from the community rating system program.
``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this paragraph, which shall 
remain available until expended.''.

SEC. 206. MITIGATION LOAN PROGRAM.

(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``mitigation measure'' 
means, with respect to a structure, a measure undertaken to reduce the 
risk of flood damage to the structure.
(b) Establishment.--The Administrator may establish a pilot program 
through which the Administrator may provide low-interest loans to 
policyholders under the National Flood Insurance Program for the 
purposes described in subsection (c).
(c) Purposes of Loans.--A loan provided to a policyholder under the 
pilot program established under subsection (b) shall be used to 
undertake mitigation measures with respect to the insured property that 
cost less than the cost of the estimated amount of premiums that would 
be paid with respect to the property during the 50-year period 
beginning in the year in which the loan is made and if those mitigation 
measures were not undertaken.
(d) Sale of Property.--If a property with respect to which a loan 
has been made under this section is sold, upon that sale, the 
outstanding loan balance shall--
(1) be repaid using the proceeds of the sale; or
(2) carry over to the purchaser of the property if the 
purchaser so consents before the execution of the sale.

SEC. 207. REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS.

(a) In General.--Chapter I of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 1326. STATE OR TRIBAL GOVERNMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS FOR FLOOD 
MITIGATION.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Community rating system.--The term `Community Rating 
System' means the community rating system program carried out 
under section 1315(b).
``(2) Intended use plan.--The term `intended use plan' 
means a plan prepared under subsection (d)(1).
``(3) Low-income geographic area.--The term `low-income 
geographic area' means an area described in paragraph (1) or 
(2) of section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic 
Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161(a)).
``(4) Low-income homeowner.--The term `low-income 
homeowner' means the owner of a primary residence, the 
household income of which in a taxable year is not more than 80 
percent of the median income for the area in which the 
residence is located.
``(5) Participating entity.--The term `participating 
entity' means a State or Tribal government that--
``(A) has entered into an agreement under 
subsection (b)(1); and
``(B) agrees to comply with the requirements of 
this section.
``(6) Pre-FIRM building.--The term `pre-FIRM building' 
means a building for which construction or substantial 
improvement occurred before the later of--
``(A) December 31, 1974; or
``(B) the effective date of the rate map published 
by the Administrator under section 1360 for the area in 
which the building is located.
``(7) State or tribal government loan fund.--The term 
`State or Tribal government loan fund' means a flood mitigation 
assistance revolving loan fund established by a State or Tribal 
government under this section.
``(8) Tribal government.--The term `Tribal government' 
means the recognized government of an Indian tribe, or the 
governing body of an Alaska Native regional or village 
corporation, that has been determined eligible to receive 
services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
``(b) General Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator may enter into an 
agreement with a State or Tribal government to provide a 
capitalization grant for the State or Tribal government to 
establish a revolving fund that will provide funding assistance 
to help homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and 
communities reduce flood risk in order to decrease--
``(A) the loss of life and property;
``(B) the cost of flood insurance; and
``(C) Federal disaster payments.
``(2) Timing of deposit and agreements for distribution of 
funds.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than the last day of 
the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which a 
capitalization grant is made to a participating entity 
under paragraph (1), the participating entity shall--
``(i) deposit the grant in the State or 
Tribal government loan fund of the 
participating entity; and
``(ii) enter into 1 or more binding 
agreements that provide for the participating 
entity to distribute the grant funds for 
purposes authorized under subsection (c) such 
that--
``(I) in the case of the initial 
grant made to a participating entity 
under this section, not less than 75 
percent of the amount of the grant 
shall be distributed before the end of 
the 2-year period beginning on the date 
on which the funds are deposited in the 
State or Tribal government loan fund of 
the participating entity; and
``(II) in the case of any 
subsequent grant made to a 
participating entity under this 
section, not less than 90 percent of 
the amount of the grant shall be 
distributed before the end of the 1-
year period beginning on the date on 
which the funds are deposited in the 
State or Tribal government loan fund of 
the participating entity.
``(B) Noncompliance.--Except as provided in 
subparagraph (C), if a participating entity does not 
comply with subparagraph (A) with respect to a grant, 
the Administrator shall reallocate the grant in 
accordance with paragraph (3)(B).
``(C) Exception.--The Administrator may not 
reallocate any funds under subparagraph (B) to a 
participating entity that violated subparagraph (A) 
with respect to a grant made during the same fiscal 
year in which the funds to be reallocated were 
originally made available.
``(3) Allocation.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall allocate 
amounts made available to carry out this section to 
participating entities--
``(i) for the participating entities to 
deposit in the State or Tribal government loan 
fund established by the participating entity; 
and
``(ii) except as provided in paragraph (6), 
in accordance with the requirements described 
in subparagraph (B).
``(B) Requirements.--The requirements described in 
this subparagraph are as follows:
``(i) Fifty percent of the total amount 
made available under subparagraph (A) shall be 
allocated so that each participating entity 
receives the percentage amount that is obtained 
by dividing the number of properties that were 
insured under the national flood insurance 
program in that State or Tribal government 
jurisdiction, as applicable, in the fiscal year 
preceding the fiscal year in which the amount 
is allocated by the total number of properties 
that were insured under the national flood 
insurance program in the fiscal year preceding 
the fiscal year in which the amount is 
allocated.
``(ii) Fifty percent of the total amount 
made available under subparagraph (A) shall be 
allocated so that each participating entity 
receives a percentage of funds that is equal to 
the product obtained under clause (iii)(IV) 
with respect to that participating entity after 
following the procedures described in clause 
(iii).
``(iii) The procedures described in this 
clause are as follows:
``(I) Divide the total amount 
collected in premiums for properties 
insured under the national flood 
insurance program in each participating 
entity during the previous fiscal year 
by the number of properties insured 
under the national flood insurance 
program in that State or Tribal 
government jurisdiction, as applicable, 
for that fiscal year.
``(II) Add together each quotient 
obtained under subclause (I).
``(III) For each participating 
entity, divide the quotient obtained 
under subclause (I) with respect to 
that State or Tribal government 
jurisdiction, as applicable, by the sum 
obtained under subclause (II).
``(IV) For each participating 
entity, multiply the amount that is 50 
percent of the total amount made 
available under subparagraph (A) by the 
quotient obtained under subclause 
(III).
``(iv) Except as provided in paragraph (5), 
in a fiscal year--
``(I) a participating entity may 
not receive more than 15 percent of the 
total amount that is made available 
under subparagraph (A) in that fiscal 
year; and
``(II) if a participating entity, 
based on the requirements under clauses 
(i) through (iii), would, but for the 
limitation under subclause (I) of this 
clause, receive an amount that is 
greater than the amount that the State 
or Tribal government jurisdiction, as 
applicable, is authorized to receive 
under that subclause, the difference 
between the authorized amount and the 
amount otherwise due to the State or 
Tribal government jurisdiction, as 
applicable, under clauses (i) through 
(iii) shall be allocated to other 
participating entities--
``(aa) that, in that fiscal 
year, have not received an 
amount under subparagraph (A) 
that is more than the 
authorized amount under 
subclause (I) of this clause; 
and
``(bb) by using the 
requirements under clauses (i) 
through (iii), except that a 
participating entity may 
receive an allocation under 
this subclause only if the 
allocation does not result in 
the State or Tribal government 
jurisdiction, as applicable, 
receiving a total amount for 
the fiscal year under 
subparagraph (A) that is 
greater than the authorized 
amount under subclause (I).
``(4) No revolving fund required.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this section, and subject to subparagraph 
(B), a participating entity that receives less than 
$4,000,000 under paragraph (3)(B) in a fiscal year may 
distribute the funds directly in the form of grants or 
technical assistance for a purpose described in 
subsection (c)(2), without regard to whether the 
participating entity has established a State or Tribal 
government loan fund.
``(B) Matching.--A participating entity that 
exercises the authority under subparagraph (A) in a 
fiscal year shall provide matching funds from non-
Federal sources in an amount that is equal to 25 
percent of the amount that the participating entity 
receives under paragraph (3)(B) in that fiscal year for 
purposes described in subparagraph (A).
``(5) Allocation of remaining funds.--After allocating 
amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal 
year in accordance with paragraph (3), the Administrator shall 
allocate any remaining amounts made available for that fiscal 
year to participating entities, using the procedures described 
in clauses (i) through (iii) of paragraph (3)(B).
``(6) Reservation of funds.--The Administrator shall 
reserve not more than 1.5 percent of the amount made available 
to carry out this section in a fiscal year--
``(A) for administrative costs incurred by the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency in carrying out 
this section;
``(B) to provide technical assistance to recipients 
of grants under this section; and
``(C) to enter into grant agreements with insular 
areas, with the grant funds to be distributed--
``(i) according to criteria established by 
the Administrator; and
``(ii) for a purpose described in 
subsection (c)(2).
``(c) Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Amounts deposited in a State or Tribal 
government loan fund, including repayments of loans made from 
the fund and interest earned on the amounts in the fund, shall 
be used--
``(A) consistent with paragraph (2) and subsection 
(g), to provide financial assistance for--
``(i) homeowners, businesses, and nonprofit 
organizations that are eligible to participate 
in the national flood insurance program; and
``(ii) any local government that 
participates in the national flood insurance 
program;
``(B) as a source of revenue and security for 
leveraged loans, the proceeds of which shall be 
deposited in the State or Tribal government loan fund; 
or
``(C) for the sale of bonds as security for payment 
of the principal and interest on revenue or general 
obligation bonds issued by the participating entity to 
provide matching funds under subsection (f), if the 
proceeds from the sale of the bonds are deposited in 
the State or Tribal government loan fund.
``(2) Purposes.--A recipient of financial assistance 
provided through amounts from a State or Tribal government loan 
fund--
``(A) shall use the amounts to reduce--
``(i) flood risk; or
``(ii) potential claims for losses covered 
under the national flood insurance program;
``(B) shall use the amounts in a cost-effective 
manner under requirements established by the 
participating entity, which may require an applicant 
for financial assistance to submit any information that 
the participating entity considers relevant or 
necessary before the date on which the applicant 
receives the assistance;
``(C) shall use the amounts for projects that--
``(i) meet design and construction 
standards established by the Administrator;
``(ii) are located in communities that--
``(I) participate in the national 
flood insurance program; and
``(II) have developed a community 
flood risk mitigation plan that has 
been approved by the Administrator 
under section 1366;
``(iii) address--
``(I) a repetitive loss structure 
or a severe repetitive loss property; 
or
``(II) flood risk in the 500-year 
floodplain, areas of residual flood 
risk, or other areas of potential flood 
risk, as identified by the 
Administrator; and
``(iv) address current risk and anticipate 
future risk, such as sea-level rise, and flood 
risk resulting from wildfire;
``(D) may use the amounts--
``(i) for projects relating to--
``(I) structural elevation;
``(II) floodproofing;
``(III) the relocation or removal 
of buildings from the 100-year 
floodplain or other areas of flood 
risk, including the acquisition of 
properties for such a purpose;
``(IV) environmental restoration 
activities that directly reduce flood 
risk, including green infrastructure;
``(V) any eligible activity 
described in subparagraphs (A) through 
(G) of section 1366(c)(3); or
``(VI) other activities determined 
appropriate by the Administrator;
``(ii) with respect to a project described 
in clause (i), only for expenditures directly 
related to a project described in that clause, 
including expenditures for planning, design, 
and associated pre-construction activities;
``(iii) to acquire, for the purposes of 
permanent protection, land, buildings, or a 
conservation easement from a willing seller or 
grantor, provided that--
``(I) the use of the land will be 
committed in perpetuity, with 
assurances from the recipient, that the 
land will only be used for open spaces, 
recreational use, or wetland management 
practices; and
``(II) no new structure will be 
erected on the property acquired other 
than--
``(aa) a public facility 
that is open on all sides and 
functionally related to a 
designated open space;
``(bb) a restroom; or
``(cc) a structure that the 
Administrator approves in 
writing before the commencement 
of a construction of the 
structure; and
``(iv) the recipient may make no subsequent 
application for disaster assistance for any 
purpose and no such assistance will be provided 
to the applicant from any Federal source;
``(E) may not use the amounts--
``(i) to construct buildings or expand 
existing buildings, unless the activity is for 
the purpose of flood mitigation;
``(ii) to improve any structure, unless the 
recipient has obtained flood insurance 
coverage, which shall be maintained for the 
useful life of the structure, in an amount that 
is not less than the lesser of--
``(I) the eligible project costs 
with respect to the structure; and
``(II) the maximum insurable limit 
for the structure under the national 
flood insurance program coverage for 
the structure;
``(iii) to improve a residential property 
with an appraised value that is not less than 
125 percent of the limitation on the maximum 
original principal obligation of a conventional 
mortgage that may be purchased by the Federal 
National Mortgage Association or the Federal 
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation in the area in 
which the property is located, as established 
under section 302(b)(2) of the Federal National 
Mortgage Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 
1717(b)(2)) and section 305(a)(2) of the 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 
U.S.C. 1454(a)(2));
``(iv) for the direct benefit of a 
homeowner if the annual household adjusted 
gross income of the homeowner during the 
previous fiscal year was not less than 
$200,000, as annually adjusted by the 
Administrator to reflect changes in the 
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, 
as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
of the Department of Labor and rounded to the 
nearest $25; or
``(v) to acquire real property or an 
interest in real property unless the property 
is purchased from a willing seller; and
``(F) to the maximum extent practicable, shall, in 
using those amounts, give priority to projects that 
assist low-income homeowners and low-income 
geographical areas.
``(d) Intended Use Plans.--
``(1) In general.--After providing the opportunity for 
public review and comment, each participating entity shall 
annually prepare a plan that identifies, for the year following 
the date of issuance of the intended use plan, the intended 
uses of the amounts available in the State or Tribal government 
loan fund of the participating entity.
``(2) Consultation during preparation.--Each participating 
entity, in preparing an intended use plan, shall ensure that 
the State or Tribal government agency with primary 
responsibility for floodplain management--
``(A) provides oversight with respect to the 
preparation of the intended use plan; and
``(B) consults with any other appropriate State or 
Tribal government agency, including agencies 
responsible for coastal and environmental management.
``(3) Contents.--A participating entity shall, in each 
intended use plan--
``(A) include--
``(i) an explanation of the mitigation and 
resiliency benefits the participating entity 
intends to achieve, including by--
``(I) reducing future damage and 
loss associated with flooding;
``(II) reducing the number of 
severe repetitive loss properties and 
repetitive loss structures in the State 
or Tribal government jurisdiction, as 
applicable;
``(III) decreasing the number of 
flood insurance claims in the State or 
Tribal government jurisdiction, as 
applicable; and
``(IV) increasing the rating under 
the Community Rating System for 
communities in the State or Tribal 
government jurisdiction, as applicable;
``(ii) information with respect to the 
availability of, and the application process 
for receiving, financial assistance from the 
State or Tribal government loan fund of the 
participating entity;
``(iii) the criteria and methods 
established for the distribution of amounts 
from the State or Tribal government loan fund 
of the participating entity;
``(iv) the amount of financial assistance 
that the participating entity anticipates 
providing to--
``(I) local government projects; 
and
``(II) projects for homeowners, 
business, or nonprofit organizations;
``(v) the expected terms of the assistance 
provided under clause (iv); and
``(vi) a description of the financial 
status of the State or Tribal government loan 
fund and the short-term and long-term goals of 
the State or Tribal government loan fund; and
``(B) provide, to the maximum extent practicable, 
that priority for the use of amounts from the State or 
Tribal government loan fund shall be given to projects 
that--
``(i) address severe repetitive loss 
properties and repetitive loss structures;
``(ii) assist low-income homeowners and 
low-income geographic areas; and
``(iii) address flood risk for pre-FIRM 
buildings.
``(4) Publication.--Each participating entity shall publish 
and periodically update a list of all projects receiving 
funding from the State or Tribal government loan fund of the 
participating entity, which shall include identification of--
``(A) the community in which the project is 
located;
``(B) the type and amount of assistance provided 
for each project; and
``(C) the expected funding schedule and date of 
completion of each project.
``(e) Fund Management.--Amounts in a State or Tribal government 
loan fund shall--
``(1) remain available for providing financial assistance 
under this section until distributed;
``(2) if the amounts are not required for immediate 
distribution or expenditure, be invested in interest-bearing 
obligations; and
``(3) except as provided in subsection (i), include only--
``(A) amounts received from capitalization grants 
made under this section;
``(B) repayments of loans made from the fund; and
``(C) interest earned on amounts in the fund.
``(f) Matching Funds.--
``(1) Full grant.--On or before the date on which a 
participating entity receives a capitalization grant, the 
participating shall deposit into the State or Tribal government 
loan fund of the participating entity, in addition to the 
amount of the capitalization grant, an amount from non-Federal 
sources that is not less than 20 percent of the total amount of 
the capitalization grant.
``(2) Reduced grant.--If, with respect to a capitalization 
grant, a participating entity deposits in the State or Tribal 
government loan fund of the participating entity an amount from 
non-Federal sources that is less than 20 percent of the total 
amount of the capitalization grant that the participating 
entity would otherwise receive, the Administrator shall--
``(A) reduce the amount of the capitalization grant 
received by the participating entity to the amount that 
is 5 times the amount so deposited; and
``(B) in accordance with subsection (b)(5), 
allocate the difference between the amount that the 
participating entity would have received if the 
participating entity had complied with paragraph (1) 
and the amount of the reduced grant that the 
participating entity receives under subparagraph (A).
``(g) Types of Assistance.--Unless otherwise prohibited by law of a 
participating entity, the participating entity may use the amounts 
deposited into a State or Tribal government loan fund under this 
section only--
``(1) to make a loan, on the condition that--
``(A) the interest rate for the loan is not more 
than the market interest rate;
``(B) the recipient of the loan will begin making 
principal and interest payments on the loan not later 
than 1 year after the date on which the project for 
which the loan was made is completed;
``(C) the loan will be fully amortized not later 
than 20 years after the date on which the project for 
which the loan was made is completed, except that, in 
the case of a loan made for a project in a low-income 
geographic area or to a low-income homeowner, the State 
may provide a longer amortization period for the loan 
if that longer period--
``(i) ends on a date that is not later than 
30 years after the date on which the project is 
completed; and
``(ii) is not longer than the expected 
design life of the project;
``(D) the recipient of the loan demonstrates, based 
on verified and documented information that, as of the 
date on which the loan is made, the recipient has a 
reasonable ability to repay the loan, according to the 
terms of the loan, except that this subparagraph may 
not be construed to authorize any reduction or 
limitation in efforts to comply with the requirements 
of subsection (c)(2)(F); and
``(E) payments of principal and interest with 
respect to the loan will be deposited into the State or 
Tribal government loan fund;
``(2) to buy or refinance the debt obligation of a local 
government at an interest rate that is not more than the market 
interest rate;
``(3) to guarantee, or purchase insurance for, a local 
obligation, the proceeds of which finance a project eligible 
for assistance under this section, if the guarantee or 
purchase, as applicable, would--
``(A) improve credit market access; or
``(B) reduce the interest rate with respect to the 
obligation;
``(4) as a source of revenue or as security for the payment 
of principal and interest on revenue or general obligation 
bonds issued by the participating entity if the proceeds of the 
sale of the bonds will be deposited into the State or Tribal 
government loan fund; or
``(5) to earn interest on those amounts.
``(h) Assistance for Low-Income Homeowners and Low-Income 
Geographic Areas.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
this section, if a participating entity uses amounts from a 
State or Tribal government loan fund to provide financial 
assistance under subsection (c) in a low-income geographic area 
or to a low-income homeowner, the participating entity may 
provide additional subsidization to the recipient of the 
assistance, including forgiveness of the principal of a loan.
``(2) Limitation.--For each fiscal year, the total amount 
of additional subsidization provided by a participating entity 
under paragraph (1) may not exceed 30 percent of the amount of 
the capitalization grant allocated to the participating entity 
for that fiscal year.
``(i) Administration of Fund.--
``(1) In general.--A participating entity may combine the 
financial administration of a State or Tribal government loan 
fund with the financial administration of any other revolving 
fund established by the participating entity if--
``(A) combining the administration of the funds 
would--
``(i) be convenient and avoid 
administrative costs; and
``(ii) not violate the law of the 
participating entity; and
``(B) the Administrator determines that--
``(i) amounts obtained from a grant made 
under this section, amounts obtained from the 
repayment of a loan made from a State or Tribal 
government loan fund, and interest earned on 
amounts in a State or Tribal government loan 
fund will be--
``(I) accounted for separately from 
amounts from other revolving funds; and
``(II) used only for purposes 
authorized under this section; and
``(ii) after consulting with the 
appropriate State or Tribal government 
agencies, the authority to establish assistance 
priorities and carry out oversight and related 
activities, other than financial 
administration, with respect to flood 
assistance remains with the State or Tribal 
government agency with primary responsibility 
for floodplain management.
``(2) Administrative and technical costs.--
``(A) In general.--For each fiscal year, a 
participating entity may use the amount described in 
subparagraph (B) to--
``(i) pay the reasonable costs of 
administration of the programs under this 
section, including the recovery of reasonable 
costs incurred in establishing a State or 
Tribal government loan fund;
``(ii) provide appropriate oversight of 
projects authorized under this section; and
``(iii) provide technical assistance and 
outreach to recipients in the State or Tribal 
government jurisdiction of amounts under this 
section, including with respect to updating 
hazard mitigation plans and participating in 
the Community Rating System, in an amount that 
is not more than 4 percent of the funds made 
available to the State or Tribal government 
jurisdiction under this section.
``(B) Description.--The amount described in this 
subparagraph is an amount equal to the sum of--
``(i) any fees collected by a participating 
entity to recover the costs described in 
subparagraph (A)(i), regardless of the source; 
and
``(ii) the greatest of--
``(I) $400,000;
``(II) 0.2 percent of the value of 
the State or Tribal government loan 
fund of a participating entity, as of 
the date on which the valuation is 
made; and
``(III) an amount equal to 7 
percent of all grant awards made to a 
participating entity for the State or 
Tribal government loan fund of the 
participating entity under this section 
for the fiscal year.
``(3) Audit and report.--
``(A) Audit requirement.--Not less frequently than 
biennially, each participating entity shall conduct an 
audit of the State or Tribal government loan fund of 
the participating entity.
``(B) Report.--Each participating entity shall 
submit to the Administrator a biennial report regarding 
the activities of the participating entity under this 
section during the period covered by the report, 
including--
``(i) the result of any audit conducted by 
the participating entity under subparagraph 
(A); and
``(ii) a review of the effectiveness of the 
State or Tribal government loan fund of the 
participating entity with respect to--
``(I) the intended use plans of the 
participating entity; and
``(II) meeting the objectives 
described in subsection (b)(1).
``(4) Oversight.--In conducting oversight with respect to 
State or Tribal government loan funds established under this 
section, the Administrator--
``(A) shall--
``(i) periodically audit the funds in 
accordance with procedures established by the 
Comptroller General of the United States; and
``(ii) not less frequently than once every 
4 years, review each State or Tribal government 
loan fund to determine the effectiveness of the 
fund in reducing flood risk; and
``(B) may, at any time--
``(i) make recommendations to a 
participating entity with respect to the 
administration of the State or Tribal 
government loan fund of the participating 
entity; or
``(ii) require specific changes with 
respect to a State or Tribal government loan 
fund of the participating entity in order to 
improve the effectiveness of the fund.
``(j) Liability Protections.--The Federal Emergency Management 
Agency shall not be liable for any claim based on the exercise or 
performance of, or the failure to exercise or perform, a discretionary 
function or duty by the Agency, or an employee of the Agency, in 
carrying out this section.
``(k) Regulations.--The Administrator shall promulgate such 
guidance or regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section, 
including guidance or regulations that--
``(1) ensure that each participating entity to which funds 
are allocated under this section uses the funds as efficiently 
as possible;
``(2) reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, waste, 
fraud, and abuse with respect to the implementation of this 
section; and
``(3) require any party that receives funds directly or 
indirectly under this section, including a participating entity 
and a recipient of amounts from a State or Tribal government 
loan fund, to use procedures with respect to the management of 
the funds that conform to generally accepted accounting 
standards.
``(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section 
for fiscal years 2024 through 2033.''.
(b) Consideration of Mitigation Measures Funded by State Loan Funds 
in Flood Insurance Premium Rates.--
(1) Estimated rates.--Section 1307(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the 
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4014(a)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking ``and similar 
measures'' and inserting ``similar measures, any activities 
funded through amounts from a State or Tribal government loan 
fund established under section 1327''.
(2) Chargeable rates.--Section 1308(b)(1) of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015(b)(1)) is amended 
by striking ``and similar measures'' and inserting ``similar 
measures, any activities funded through amounts from a State or 
Tribal government loan fund established under section 1327''.

SEC. 208. MAPPING MODERNIZATION.

(a) Amendments to the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 
2012.--The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 
4004 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 100215 (42 U.S.C. 4101a)--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by redesignating subparagraphs 
(A) through (E) as subparagraphs (B) 
through (F), respectively;
(II) by inserting before 
subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, 
the following:
``(A) the Director of the United States Geological 
Survey;''; and
(III) in subparagraph (F), as so 
redesignated--
(aa) in the matter 
preceding clause (i), by 
striking ``16'' and inserting 
``17'';
(bb) in clause (xiii), by 
striking ``and'' at the end;
(cc) in clause (xiv), by 
striking the period at the end 
and inserting ``; and''; and
(dd) by adding at the end 
the following:
``(xv) an expert in the field of 
catastrophic risk modeling.'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), in the second 
sentence, by striking ``paragraph (1)(E)'' and 
inserting ``paragraph (1)(F)''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Conflicts of interest.--A member of the Council--
``(A) may not, while serving on the Council, be 
employed or retained by--
``(i) a Federal Emergency Management Agency 
contractor or consultant; or
``(ii) a nongovernmental entity that was 
awarded a Federal grant during the 5-year 
period preceding the date on which the member 
was appointed to the Council; and
``(B) may not have been employed by a Federal 
Emergency Management Agency contractor or consultant 
during the 5-year period preceding the date on which 
the member was appointed to the Council.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(m) Private or Community Flood Maps.--
``(1) Standards and procedures.--In addition to the other 
duties of the Council under this section, not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Council 
shall develop and establish a set of standards, guidelines, and 
procedures for--
``(A) State and local governments, federally or 
State-recognized metropolitan planning organizations 
(commonly known as `MPOs'), federally or State-
recognized councils of local governments, and federally 
or State-recognized rural transportation planning 
organizations to use in mapping flood risks and 
developing alternative maps to the flood insurance rate 
maps developed by the Administrator; and
``(B) certification, by the Administrator not later 
than 90 days after the date on which a map developed 
under subparagraph (A) is submitted to the 
Administrator, for use under the National Flood 
Insurance Program in the case of any area covered by a 
flood insurance rate map developed or approved by the 
Administrator that has not been updated or reissued 
during the preceding 3-year period.
``(2) Treatment.--On and after the date on which the 
Administrator certifies a map under paragraph (1)(B), and 
subject to the requirements of section 1363 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104), the map--
``(A) shall be considered the flood insurance rate 
map in effect for all purposes of the National Flood 
Insurance Program with respect to the area covered by 
the map; and
``(B) may not be revised, updated, or replaced in 
accordance with the standards, guidelines, and 
procedures established under paragraph (1) before the 
expiration of the 3-year period beginning on that date 
of certification.
``(3) Exemption from rulemaking.--Until the date on which 
the Administrator promulgates regulations implementing 
paragraphs (1) and (2), the Administrator may adopt policies 
and procedures, notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
necessary to implement those paragraphs without regard to 
section 553 of title 5, United States Code, and without 
conducting regulatory analyses otherwise required by statute, 
regulation, or Executive order.''; and
(2) in section 100216 (42 U.S.C. 4101b)--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) in subparagraph (A)--
(aa) in clause (v), by 
striking ``and'' at the end;
(bb) in clause (vi), by 
adding ``and'' at the end; and
(cc) by inserting after 
clause (vi) the following:
``(vii) all other areas of the United 
States that are not described in clauses (i) 
through (vi);'';
(II) in subparagraph (B), by 
striking ``and'' at the end;
(III) in subparagraph (C), by 
striking the period at the end and 
inserting ``, including the most 
recently available and best remote 
sensing technology;''; and
(IV) by adding at the end the 
following:
``(D) when appropriate, partner with other Federal 
agencies, States, and private entities in order to meet 
the objectives of the program; and
``(E) consult and coordinate with the Secretary of 
Defense, the Director of the United States Geological 
Survey, the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, 
and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to obtain the most up-to-
date maps and other information of those agencies, 
including information relating to topography, water 
flow, watershed characteristics, and any other issues 
that are relevant to identifying, reviewing, updating, 
maintaining, and publishing National Flood Insurance 
Program rate maps.''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) in subparagraph (A), by 
redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as 
subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, 
and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(II) by redesignating subparagraphs 
(A) through (E) as clauses (i) through 
(v), respectively, and adjusting the 
margins accordingly;
(III) in the matter preceding 
clause (i), as so redesignated, by 
striking ``Administrator shall 
include--'' and inserting the 
following: ``Administrator--
``(A) shall include--'';
(IV) in subparagraph (A)(v), as so 
redesignated, by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(V) by adding at the end the 
following:
``(B) may include--
``(i) any relevant information that is 
obtained under paragraph (1)(E); and
``(ii) cadastral features, including, for 
each cadastral feature--
``(I) the associated parcel 
identification data for that feature; 
and
``(II) to the maximum extent 
practicable, using public and private 
sector address data, the address of 
that feature.'';
(B) in subsection (c)(2)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) not later than 5 years after the date on 
which the National Geodetic Survey completes the 
modernization of the National Spatial Reference System 
in 2022, updated to conform with the geospatial data 
provided by that system; and
``(E) spatially accurate in accordance with the 
common protocols for geographic information systems 
under applicable law.'';
(C) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection 
(g);
(D) by inserting after subsection (e) the 
following:
``(f) Incorporating Building-Specific Flood Risk Information.--
``(1) Establishment.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the 
date of enactment of the National Flood Insurance 
Program Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2025, the 
Administrator, in coordination with, and as recommended 
by, the Technical Mapping Advisory Council, shall 
establish a dynamic, database-derived digital display 
environment for flood hazard risk production and 
dissemination.
``(B) Consultation with states and communities.--In 
designing and constructing the environment under 
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall--
``(i) leverage and partner with States and 
communities that have successfully implemented 
the same approach; and
``(ii) consider adopting the techniques and 
technologies used by States and communities 
described in clause (i) and applying them 
nationwide.
``(2) Digital display.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Administrator shall create a digital display 
prompted through dynamic querying of a spatial, 
relational building database that includes--
``(i) special flood hazard areas and base 
flood elevations for purposes of lender 
compliance with the requirements under section 
102 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 
1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a); and
``(ii) structure-specific flood risk 
information, including, for each property 
address--
``(I) the spatial footprint and 
elevation of the structure relative to 
special flood hazard areas and base 
flood elevations;
``(II) elevation data applicable to 
the property;
``(III) any letter of map changes;
``(IV) to the maximum extent 
practicable, the full risk premium rate 
estimated for the structure under 
section 1307(a)(1) of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4014(a)(1)) based on elevation data 
and, where applicable, the level of 
protection provided by levee systems;
``(V) the disclosure described in 
section 1308(l) of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4015(l)), which shall include--
``(aa) the extent to which, 
if any, the chargeable premium 
rate applicable to the property 
is less than the full risk 
premium rate under section 
1307(a)(1) of that Act (42 
U.S.C. 4014(a)(1)); and
``(bb) an explanation of 
the difference described in 
item (aa) and the methodology 
used to rate the property;
``(VI) the estimated cost to repair 
the structure in the case of damage 
from floods with recurrence intervals 
ranging from the 10 percent annual 
chance event to the 0.2 percent annual 
chance event;
``(VII) the cost-effectiveness of 
mitigating the structure using common 
methods and how the chargeable premium 
rate would change based on each 
mitigation method; and
``(VIII) the claims history of the 
structure, including the amount and 
date of each loss.
``(B) Privacy requirements.--With respect to the 
database described in subparagraph (A), including any 
data used to create that database, the Administrator 
may not disseminate the database to any person other 
than the owner or leaseholder of a property identified 
in the database.
``(3) Database.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall--
``(i) develop a spatial, relational 
database of buildings for which flood hazard 
has been identified through the National Flood 
Insurance Program; and
``(ii) obtain the data necessary to support 
the digital display created under paragraph 
(2).
``(B) Data.--The data obtained under subparagraph 
(A) shall include, at a minimum--
``(i) footprints and elevations (including 
lowest adjacent grade and first floor) from 
Light Detection and Ranging (commonly known as 
`LiDAR') data collections or other data 
collection methods that meet or exceed the 
standards for buildings, as determined by the 
Administrator;
``(ii) elevation data;
``(iii) parcel, address, and imagery data 
necessary for the identification, assessment, 
and reduction of flood hazards for individual 
properties;
``(iv) flood insurance rate maps, studies, 
and supporting data;
``(v) letters of map change; and
``(vi) any other data that the 
Administrator determines necessary to collect 
to meet the objectives of this section.
``(4) Data procurement.--The Administrator shall obtain any 
data necessary to establish the environment under paragraph 
(1), including by--
``(A) directing communities participating in the 
National Flood Insurance Program, by regulation, to 
collect and supply information, including elevation 
data, for each structure that obtains a construction or 
other development permit within--
``(i) a special flood hazard area; or
``(ii) an advisory special flood hazard 
area adopted by the community;
``(B) issuing guidelines and standards, as 
determined by the Administrator;
``(C) partnering with other Federal, State, local, 
and private stakeholders to the greatest extent 
possible to obtain and share existing data that meets 
or exceeds the standards determined by the 
Administrator under subparagraph (B); and
``(D) contracting with private companies to obtain 
new LiDAR data collections or elevation data.
``(5) NFIP premium credit.--The Administrator shall provide 
a 1-time premium credit of not more than $500 to a policyholder 
for the purchase of an elevation certificate.
``(6) Mass letters of map change.--In coordination with 
States and communities that have successfully implemented a 
dynamic, database-derived digital display environment for flood 
hazard risk production and dissemination, the Administrator 
shall issue guidelines for the adoption and integration into 
the program established under subsection (a) of LiDAR-based 
letter of map amendment approaches.
``(7) Annual report.--The Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate 
and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
Representatives an annual progress report on the implementation 
of this subsection, which shall include recommendations to 
reduce the cost and improve the implementation of this 
subsection.''; and
(E) in subsection (g), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``this section 
$400,000,000'' and inserting the following: 
``this section--
``(1) $500,000,000''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting the following: ``; and
``(2) $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
2029.''.
(b) Appeals.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Right to appeal.--Section 1360 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4101) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Appeals of Existing Maps.--
``(1) Right to appeal.--Subject to paragraph (6), a State 
or local government, or the owner or lessee of real property, 
that makes a formal request to the Administrator to update a 
flood insurance rate map that the Administrator denies may at 
any time appeal the denial in accordance with this subsection.
``(2) Basis for appeal.--The basis for an appeal under this 
subsection shall be the possession of knowledge or information 
that--
``(A) the base flood elevation level or designation 
of any aspect of a flood insurance rate map is 
scientifically or technically inaccurate; or
``(B) factors exist that mitigate the risk of 
flooding, including ditches, banks, walls, vegetation, 
levees, lakes, dams, reservoirs, basin, retention 
ponds, and other natural or manmade topographical 
features.
``(3) Appeals process.--
``(A) Administrative adjudication.--The 
Administrator shall determine an appeal under this 
subsection by making a final adjudication on the 
record, after providing an opportunity for an 
administrative hearing.
``(B) Rights upon adverse decision.--
``(i) Optional arbitration.--If an appeal 
determined under subparagraph (A) does not 
result in a decision in favor of the State, 
local government, owner, or lessee, that party 
may request that an appeal of the adverse 
decision be heard--
``(I) through independent, non-
binding arbitration; or
``(II) by the Scientific Resolution 
Panel provided for in section 1363A.
``(ii) Process.--Notwithstanding any 
provision of section 1363A(c)(4) regarding the 
binding nature of the recommendations of the 
Scientific Resolution Panel, the Administrator 
shall establish a process for the purposes of 
clause (i) under which an arbitrator or the 
Scientific Resolution Panel, as applicable, 
provides a non-binding recommendation to the 
Administrator.
``(4) Relief.--
``(A) Wholly successful appeals.--If the 
Administrator determines in an appeal under this 
subsection that the property of a policyholder that had 
been included in a special flood hazard area under the 
flood insurance rate map is actually not in a special 
flood hazard area--
``(i) the policyholder may cancel the 
policy at any time during the year in which the 
Administrator makes the determination; and
``(ii) the Administrator shall provide the 
policyholder a refund equal to the amount of--
``(I) any premiums that the 
policyholder paid during the year 
described in clause (i); and
``(II) any premiums that the 
policyholder paid for flood insurance 
coverage that the policyholder was 
required to purchase or maintain during 
the 2-year period preceding the year 
described in clause (i).
``(B) Partially successful appeals.--If the 
Administrator determines in an appeal under this 
subsection that mitigating factors have reduced, but 
not eliminated, the risk of flooding to a property, the 
Administrator shall--
``(i) reduce the amount of flood insurance 
coverage required to be maintained for the 
property by the ratio of the successful portion 
of the appeal as compared to the entire appeal; 
and
``(ii) provide the policyholder a refund 
equal to the difference between--
``(I) the amount of any premiums 
that the policyholder paid during the 
period--
``(aa) beginning on the 
later of--

``(AA) the date on 
which the mitigating 
factor was created; or

``(BB) January 1 of 
the second year 
preceding the date on 
which the determination 
is made; and

``(bb) ending on the date 
on which the reduction in the 
amount of flood insurance 
required, as described in 
clause (i), takes effect; and
``(II) the amount of premiums that 
the policyholder would have been 
required to pay if the reduced amount 
of flood insurance coverage required, 
as described in clause (i), had been in 
effect during the period described in 
subclause (I) of this clause.
``(C) Additional relief.--The Administrator may 
provide additional refunds in excess of the amounts 
required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) if the 
Administrator determines that such additional refunds 
are warranted.
``(5) Recovery of costs.--
``(A) Appeal expenses.--If a State or local 
government, or the owner or lessee of real property, 
incurs any expense in connection with an appeal under 
this subsection that is based on a scientific or 
technical error made by the Administrator and that is 
successful in whole or part regarding the designation 
of the base flood elevation or any aspect of a flood 
insurance rate map, including elevation or designation 
of a special flood hazard area, the Administrator shall 
reimburse the State, local government, owner, or lessee 
in accordance with subparagraph (B).
``(B) Reimbursable expenses.--The Administrator--
``(i) may reimburse a party under 
subparagraph (A) for reasonable expenses 
described in that subparagraph--
``(I) including for a service 
provided by a surveyor, engineer, or 
scientific expert; and
``(II) to the extent measured by 
the ratio of the successful portion of 
the appeal as compared to the entire 
appeal; and
``(ii) may not reimburse a party under 
subparagraph (A) for--
``(I) the cost of legal services; 
or
``(II) the payment of any fee or 
expense, the payment of which was 
agreed to be contingent upon the result 
of the appeal.
``(6) Guidance.--The Administrator shall issue guidance to 
implement this subsection, which shall not be subject to the 
notice and comment requirements under section 553 of title 5, 
United States Code.''.
(B) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 
1310(a) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4017(a)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' 
at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (8), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) for providing reimbursements of expenses of flood 
insurance rate map appeals under section 1360(k)(5).''.
(2) Deadline for issuance of guidance.--Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall issue the guidance required under subsection (k)(6) of 
section 1360 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4101), as added by paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Issuance of regulations for map appeals.--Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall issue the regulations required to be issued 
under subsection (f) of section 1363 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104) and any relevant 
guidance to implement that subsection.

SEC. 209. APPEALS.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall establish a fair, transparent, and streamlined 
process to manage disputes regarding chargeable premium rates 
prescribed under section 1308 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015), as amended by this Act, including a dispute 
regarding, with respect to a property--
(1) the distance of the property from an ocean, coastline, 
lake, or river;
(2) the elevation of the property;
(3) the ground elevation of the property;
(4) the first floor height of the property;
(5) the type of foundation with respect to the property; or
(6) the quality of any levee on the property.

SEC. 210. LEVEE-PROTECTED AREAS.

Section 100216(b) of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act 
of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101b(b)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``(4) Areas protected by levee systems.--
``(A) Applicability.--To facilitate the 
implementation of this section, and notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, this paragraph shall apply to a 
community in which the Administrator establishes rates 
for flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance 
Program in a levee-protected area.
``(B) Non-accredited levee systems.--
``(i) Assessment of protection provided by 
non-accredited levee systems.--With respect to 
an area in which the pertinent levee system 
fails to meet the minimum design, operation, 
and maintenance standards of the National Flood 
Insurance Program described in section 65.10 of 
title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, or any 
successor regulation, for levee accreditation 
on a National Flood Insurance Program rate map 
under the Risk Rating 2.0 methodology (or any 
substantially similar methodology), the 
Administrator shall, not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this paragraph--
``(I) through rules issued under 
section 553 of title 5, United States 
Code, establish--
``(aa) the analysis that 
the Administrator will perform 
to determine the level of 
protection provided by the non-
accredited levee system; and
``(bb) the procedure by 
which the Administrator will 
establish rates for flood 
insurance under the National 
Flood Insurance Program for 
that area; and
``(II)(aa) issue guidance with 
respect to the matters described in 
items (aa) and (bb) of subclause (I); 
or
``(bb) use the levee analysis and 
mapping procedure of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, as in 
effect on the date of enactment of this 
paragraph, for purposes of updating 
flood insurance rate maps and 
establishing rates for flood insurance 
under the National Flood Insurance 
Program, working with established Local 
Levee Partnership Teams or their 
equivalent for verification of accurate 
results.
``(ii) Rate for areas without sufficient 
data.--With respect to a structure that is 
located in an area described in clause (i), and 
for which the Administrator does not have 
sufficient data to assess risk, the 
Administrator may not increase the rates for 
flood insurance under the National Flood 
Insurance Program for that structure until the 
Administrator--
``(I) carries out clause (i) with 
respect to that area; and
``(II) makes available to all 
parties affected by the increased rate 
the data on which the Administrator is 
relying in establishing that increased 
rate.
``(C) Mandatory purchase requirement for levee 
systems.--In any area in which the pertinent levee 
system meets the minimum design, operation, and 
maintenance standards described in section 65.10 of 
title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor 
regulation, the Administrator may not--
``(i) designate the levee-protected area a 
special flood hazard area; or
``(ii) impose any requirement to purchase 
flood insurance for a structure located in the 
area.
``(D) Appeals process.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this paragraph, 
the Administrator shall develop an appeals 
process for communities located within a levee-
protected area described in this paragraph that 
disputes the assessment made by the 
Administrator of the level of protection 
provided by the levee or the residual risk 
associated with the levee.
``(ii) Definition requirements.--With 
respect to the appeals process established 
under clause (i)--
``(I) subject to subclause (II), 
the Administrator shall make clear 
which definition of the terms `levee' 
and `residual risk' shall apply for the 
purposes of the appeal; and
``(II) an appellant in an appeal 
brought under that process may require 
that the Administrator use the 
definition of the term `levee' in 
section 59.1 of title 44, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or any successor 
regulation.''.

SEC. 211. COMMUNITY-WIDE FLOOD MITIGATION ACTIVITIES.

It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator should consider 
flood mitigation activities that--
(1) provide benefits to an entire floodplain or community, 
or to a portion of such a community;
(2) consider all available and practicable approaches; and
(3) the Administrator determines--
(A) are technically feasible;
(B) have the highest net benefits; and
(C) are consistent with mitigation plans approved 
by the Administrator.

SEC. 212. PREMIUM CALCULATOR.

(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``covered property'' means a property for 
which insurance is provided under the National Flood Insurance 
Program; and
(2) the term ``premium rates'' means chargeable premium 
rates prescribed under section 1308 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015), as amended by this Act.
(b) Requirements.--The Administrator shall take the following 
actions:
(1) Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, make public all formulas used by the Administrator to 
calculate the value of mitigation credits provided with respect 
to covered properties, including, at a minimum, credits for--
(A) installing a flood opening;
(B) elevating such a property onto a post, pile, or 
pier; and
(C) elevating machinery and equipment above the 
lowest floor of such a property.
(2) Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, establish a tool that allows members of the public to 
estimate premium rates for covered properties under the Risk 
Rating 2.0 program (or any similar methodology) within a 
reasonable margin of error based on user inputs, which shall 
include a mechanism for determining how the premium rates for a 
covered property would change based on taking a particular 
mitigation action, including an action described in 
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) with respect to 
the covered property.
(3) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter, publish online, for each 
State, county, and zip code in the United States, a 
distribution showing the median, mean, lower and upper 
quartiles, maximum, and minimum--
(A) premium rates; and
(B) full risk premium rates under section 
1307(a)(1) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4014(a)(1)), as amended by this Act.

SEC. 213. CONSIDERATION OF MITIGATION PROJECTS IN FLOOD INSURANCE 
PREMIUM RATES.

(a) Estimated Rates.--Section 1307(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(a)(1)(A)(ii)), as amended 
by section 207(b)(1) of this Act, is amended by inserting after 
``section 1327'' the following: ``, and any mitigation project carried 
out by the Army Corps of Engineers or under the community development 
block grant program for disaster recovery or mitigation, section 203 or 
205 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5133, 5135), or the Building Resilient Infrastructure 
and Communities program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency''.
(b) Chargeable Rates.--Section 1308(b)(1) of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015(b)(1)), as amended by section 
207(b)(2) of this Act, is amended by inserting after ``section 1327'' 
the following: ``, and any mitigation project carried out by the Army 
Corps of Engineers or under the community development block grant 
program for disaster recovery or mitigation, section 203 or 205 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5133, 5135), or the Building Resilient Infrastructure and 
Communities program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency''.

TITLE III--SOLVENCY

SEC. 301. FORBEARANCE ON NFIP INTEREST PAYMENTS.

(a) In General.--During the 5-year period beginning on the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury may not charge the 
Administrator interest on amounts borrowed by the Administrator under 
section 1309(a) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4016(a)) that were outstanding as of the date of enactment of this Act, 
including amounts borrowed after the date of enactment of this Act that 
refinance debts that existed before the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Use of Saved Amounts.--There shall be deposited into the 
National Flood Mitigation Fund an amount equal to the interest that 
would have accrued on the borrowed amounts during the 5-year period 
described in subsection (a) at the time at which those interest 
payments would have otherwise been paid, which, notwithstanding any 
provision of section 1367 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4104d), the Administrator shall use to carry out the program 
established under section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104c).
(c) No Retroactive Accrual.--After the 5-year period described in 
subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury shall not require the 
Administrator to repay any interest that, but for that subsection, 
would have accrued on the borrowed amounts described in that subsection 
during that 5-year period.

SEC. 302. CAP ON WRITE YOUR OWN COMPANY COMPENSATION.

(a) In General.--Section 1311 of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4018) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Limitation on Compensation; Minimum Agent Commissions.--In 
negotiating with appropriate representatives of the insurance industry 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that--
``(1) any reimbursement paid to a property and casualty 
insurance company for selling, writing, and servicing flood 
insurance policies is not more than 22.46 percent of the 
aggregate amount of premiums charged by the insurance company; 
and
``(2) an insurance company pays a portion of the 
reimbursement described in paragraph (1) to agents of the 
company as a commission, in an amount that is not less than 15 
percent of the aggregate amount of the premiums sold by the 
agent.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 1311 of the 
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4018), as amended by 
subsection (a), is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``The Administrator'' 
and inserting ``In General.--The Administrator''; and
(2) in subsection (c), as so redesignated by subsection (a) 
of this section, by striking ``For purposes of subsection (a)'' 
and inserting ``Definitions.--For purposes of this section''.

SEC. 303. THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDER COSTS; TRANSPARENCY.

(a) In General.--Section 100224(d) of the Biggert-Waters Flood 
Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4081 note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Not later than 12 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator'' and inserting the 
following:
``(1) In general.--The Administrator''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Vendor costs; transparency.--In issuing the rule 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
``(A) develop a schedule to determine the actual 
costs of Write Your Own third-party service providers, 
including claims adjusters and engineering companies;
``(B) provide that if a Write Your Own company 
requests reimbursement for the costs of a service or 
product provided to the company by a vendor, the 
Administrator only reimburses the company for the 
actual costs of the service or products; and
``(C) require that all reimbursements to Write Your 
Own companies be made public, including a description 
of the product or service provided to which the 
reimbursement pertains.''.
(b) Deadline for Revised Rule.--Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a revised 
rule under section 100224(d) of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance 
Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4081 note), as amended by subsection (a).

SEC. 304. AVAILABILITY OF NFIP CLAIMS DATA.

(a) Study Required.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall study the 
feasibility of selling or licensing the use of historical 
structure-specific National Flood Insurance Program claims data 
(referred to in this section as ``covered claims data'') to 
nongovernmental entities.
(2) Contents.--In conducting the study required under 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall, at a minimum--
(A) investigate 1 or more methods of providing the 
most specific covered claims data possible while 
reasonably protecting policyholder privacy;
(B) review existing means, as of the date of 
enactment of this Act, by which the Federal Government 
and nongovernmental entities provide leases or licenses 
to private persons, and the various regulations, terms, 
conditions, and guidance employed;
(C) identify potential uses for covered claims data 
and any known risks concerning those uses, including 
the risk that private insurance companies will use the 
data to issue flood insurance policies with respect to 
properties that have the lowest level of flood risk, 
which would require the National Flood Insurance 
Program to issue those policies with respect to 
properties with higher levels of flood risk;
(D) identify mechanisms for determining the likely 
market value for access to covered claims data;
(E) consider whether selling or licensing the use 
of covered claims data, as described in paragraph (1), 
would be in compliance with section 552a of title 5, 
United States Code (commonly known as the ``Privacy Act 
of 1974'');
(F) review the costs of researching, developing, 
and producing previous releases of covered claims data 
and identify if releasing this data has benefitted the 
National Flood Insurance Program in a tangible way that 
benefits policyholders; and
(G) recommend actions the Administrator could take, 
if any, to prevent unintended consequences associated 
with the sale or licensing for private insurance 
purposes covered claims data.
(b) Report by Administrator.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a 
report that contains the results and conclusions of the study conducted 
under subsection (a), which shall include an analysis of any 
recommendations made by the study.

SEC. 305. REFUSAL OF MITIGATION ASSISTANCE.

Section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4104c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), in the first sentence, by inserting ``and, with respect to 
financial assistance described in paragraph (2), using amounts 
made available from the Disaster Relief Fund in accordance with 
section 203(n) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133(n))'' after ``section 
1367'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
``(h) Refusal of Assistance.--
``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `bona fide 
offer of assistance' means an offer of assistance made by the 
Administrator to a policyholder under the national flood 
insurance program that--
``(A) relates to mitigation activities with respect 
to the structure insured under that program;
``(B) covers 100 percent of the cost of the 
mitigation activities described in subparagraph (A);
``(C) permits the policyholder to continue to live 
in the structure to which the policy relates; and
``(D) is carried out under a mitigation plan.
``(2) Penalty.--If, after the date of enactment of the 
National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization and Reform Act 
of 2025, a policyholder under the national flood insurance 
program refuses a bona fide offer of assistance with respect to 
the property so insured, the Administrator shall, 
notwithstanding any other provision of this title, increase the 
chargeable risk premium rate for flood insurance under this 
title for the property by 25 percent each year until--
``(A) the policyholder accepts the bona fide offer 
of assistance; or
``(B) that chargeable risk premium rate is 
actuarially sound.''.

SEC. 306. MULTIPLE STRUCTURE MITIGATION.

Section 1308A(a) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4015a(a)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``The 
Administrator'' and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
Administrator''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Relief for small businesses and nonprofits.--
``(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term 
`covered small business or nonprofit organization' 
means a small business concern (as defined in section 3 
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)) or an 
organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from 
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code that owns 
not fewer than 3 structures that are located on a 
single property.
``(B) Relief.--The Administrator may not impose a 
surcharge under this section for a policy for flood 
insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance 
Program for a covered small business concern or 
nonprofit organization with respect to more than 2 
detached units or buildings located on a single 
property if the covered small business or nonprofit 
organization certifies to the Administrator that the 
savings from the surcharge not being imposed shall be 
used for flood mitigation on the property on which the 
units or buildings are located.
``(C) Rules.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall 
issue rules establishing the process for submitting a 
certification described in subparagraph (B).''.

TITLE IV--POLICYHOLDER PROTECTION AND FAIRNESS

SEC. 401. EARTH MOVEMENT FIX AND ENGINEER STANDARDS.

(a) Rebuttable Presumption for Foundation and Structural Damage.--
(1) In general.--Section 1312 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019), as amended by section 
106(b), is amended by inserting after subsection (c) the 
following:
``(d) Rebuttable Presumption for Foundation and Structural 
Damage.--
``(1) In general.--For the purposes of the Administrator 
determining coverage under the standard flood insurance policy 
under the national flood insurance program, a rebuttable 
presumption that physical damage to the foundation of, or 
structural damage to, a structure was not caused by earth 
movement shall apply if--
``(A) flood caused direct physical change to the 
structure; and
``(B) there is damage to the foundation of, or 
structural damage to, the structure that was not 
present before the flood, as demonstrated by a 
certification from the policyholder.
``(2) Rebuttal.--In determining coverage as a result of the 
rebuttable presumption under paragraph (1), an insurance 
company may rebut the presumption only by providing the 
Administrator with an engineering report that--
``(A) meets standards issued by the Administrator 
under paragraph (3); and
``(B) clearly demonstrates that the physical damage 
to the foundation of, or structural damage to, a 
structure described in paragraph (1) was caused 
directly by earth movement that was not--
``(i) caused by the horizontal pressure 
from standing or slow-moving floodwater 
(commonly known as `hydrostatic pressure');
``(ii) caused by the force of floodwater 
that causes the vertical uplift from the 
underside of a horizontal foundation component, 
such as a concrete slab, footer, or structural 
floor assembly (commonly known as `buoyancy');
``(iii) caused by pressure imposed on an 
object, such as a wall of a building, by high-
velocity floodwater or waves flowing against 
and around the building (commonly known as 
`hydrodynamic force');
``(iv) caused by floodwater moving along 
the surface of the ground causing soil to 
suddenly erode or undermine, resulting in 
failure of a foundation or to one of the 
structural components of the foundation 
(commonly known as `scouring'); or
``(v) otherwise caused by flood.
``(3) Minimum standards for engineering reports.--The 
Administrator shall issue minimum standards--
``(A) regarding the form and content of engineering 
reports used to assist insurance claims adjusters with 
respect to carrying out this subsection; and
``(B) that--
``(i) include a requirement that any such 
engineering report shall be signed and have a 
seal affixed by an engineer who is licensed in 
the State in which the property to which the 
claim relates is located; and
``(ii) are consistent with generally 
accepted practices in--
``(I) the field of forensic 
engineering; and
``(II) the insurance industry.
``(4) Documentation of condition of foundation.--
``(A) In general.--If the holder of a policy for 
flood insurance coverage made available under this 
title documents the condition of the foundation of a 
structure covered by the policy with a photograph, 
video recording, or otherwise, and submits the 
documentation to the Administrator or the Write Your 
Own Company that sold the policy, as applicable, the 
Administrator or Write Your Own Company, respectively, 
shall keep the documentation and use the documentation 
when adjusting a claim that arises under the policy.
``(B) Notice to policyholders.--The Administrator 
shall notify a policyholder, when the policyholder 
purchases or renews a flood insurance policy sold under 
this title, that the policyholder may document the 
condition of the foundation of a structure covered by 
the policy in accordance with subparagraph (A).
``(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
be construed to modify the terms and conditions of the standard 
flood insurance policy.''.
(2) Application.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall 
apply with respect to a claim with a date of loss that is on or 
after the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act.
(b) Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue the standards 
required under subsection (d)(3) of section 1312 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019), as added by subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 402. COVERAGE OF PRE-FIRM CONDOMINIUM BASEMENTS AND STUDY ON 
STREET RAISING.

(a) Basement Clarification.--
(1) In general.--Section 1305 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4012) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
``(e) Availability of Insurance for Pre-FIRM Condominium 
Basements.--
``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `pre-FIRM 
condominium building' means a condominium building that was not 
constructed or substantially improved after the later of--
``(A) December 31, 1974; or
``(B) the effective date of the initial flood 
insurance rate map published by the Administrator under 
section 1360 for the area in which the building is 
located.
``(2) Coverage.--The Administrator shall offer an optional 
rider to a contract for flood insurance made available under 
this title that covers the basement of a pre-FIRM condominium 
building that serves as a separate residential unit within that 
condominium building.''.
(2) Amendments to regulations.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall make any amendments to the regulations of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency that are necessary as a result of 
the amendment made by paragraph (1).
(b) Study on Consequences of Street-Raising.--
(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``affected 
property'' means a property containing an area--
(A) the floor of which was located at or above 
grade before the community raised the street adjacent 
to the property; and
(B) after the street-raising described in 
subparagraph (A), that was designated as a basement 
because of the street-raising.
(2) Study; report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall study and submit 
to Congress a report on the consequences of street-raising on 
flood insurance coverage for an affected property under the 
National Flood Insurance Program, including the cost 
implications for the property owner.

SEC. 403. GUIDANCE ON REMEDIATION AND POLICYHOLDER DUTIES.

(a) In General.--Section 1312 of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019), as amended by section 401(a)(1), is amended 
by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Guidance on Mold Remediation.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall issue guidance 
relating to the identification of reasonable actions that a 
policyholder of coverage for flood insurance made available 
under this title may take to inspect and maintain the property 
to which that coverage applies--
``(A) after a flood recedes; and
``(B) in order to avoid damage to the property that 
is caused by mold, mildew, moisture, or water.
``(2) Considerations.--In developing guidance under 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider--
``(A) any applicable laws and regulations;
``(B) the terms and conditions of the standard 
flood insurance policy;
``(C) technical best practices;
``(D) the costs of remediation in relation to the 
condition of a property described in that paragraph; 
and
``(E) the actions that the Administrator may 
reasonably expect a policyholder described in that 
paragraph to take, given the likely challenges faced by 
the policyholder after a flood.
``(3) Regular review.--The Administrator shall--
``(A) regularly review the guidance issued under 
paragraph (1); and
``(B) revise the guidance issued under paragraph 
(1) as the Administrator determines appropriate.
``(4) Annual distribution.--The Administrator shall provide 
a copy of the guidance issued under paragraph (1) to a 
policyholder at the time of the purchase or renewal of a flood 
insurance policy sold under this title.''.
(b) Initial Issuance.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue the guidance 
required under subsection (e) of section 1312 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019), as added by subsection (a) of 
this section.
(c) Accessibility, Reasonableness, and Degree of Damage.--Section 
1312 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019), as 
amended by subsection (a), is amended by inserting after subsection (e) 
the following:
``(f) Exclusion of Certain Damage.--For purposes of determining 
whether damage caused by mold, mildew, moisture, or water to a property 
shall be excluded from coverage under the standard flood insurance 
policy--
``(1) subject to paragraph (2), only the degree of damage 
caused by mold, mildew, moisture, or water that could have been 
avoided through inspection and maintenance may be excluded from 
that coverage; and
``(2) the condition of the property to which the damage 
relates may not be considered to be attributable to the 
policyholder with respect to the property, including any 
failure by the policyholder to inspect and maintain the 
property after a flood recedes, if--
``(A) the policyholder was denied access to the 
property after the flood receded because of--
``(i) a lawful government order;
``(ii) a determination by local authorities 
that the property--
``(I) is unsafe or unstable; or
``(II) shall be condemned; or
``(iii) otherwise unsafe conditions;
``(B) a reasonable individual exercising reasonable 
judgment could not be expected to inspect, maintain, or 
mitigate the damage to the property under the 
circumstances; or
``(C) the policyholder faced particular challenges, 
including--
``(i) practical or financial difficulty in 
inspecting or maintaining the property;
``(ii) the need to address other more 
immediate priorities, including--
``(I) the health and well-being of 
the policyholder and the family of the 
policyholder;
``(II) the preservation of basic 
items;
``(III) displacement; and
``(IV) other issues that make 
inspection and maintenance of the 
property a near-term challenge for the 
policyholder; and
``(iii) the unavailability of contractors 
or other individuals to perform any required 
inspection and maintenance.''.

SEC. 404. APPEAL OF DECISIONS RELATING TO FLOOD INSURANCE COVERAGE.

(a) Enhanced Policyholder Appeals Process.--
(1) In general.--Part C of chapter II of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1349. APPEAL OF DECISIONS RELATING TO FLOOD INSURANCE COVERAGE.

``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `Office', except as 
otherwise specified, means the Independent Office for Policyholder 
Appeals established under subsection (b).
``(b) Independent Office for Policyholder Appeals.--Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator 
shall establish an Independent Office for Policyholder Appeals to 
provide for a non-adversarial and fair administrative review of appeals 
submitted under subsection (c)(1).
``(c) Appeals Process.--
``(1) Right to appeal.--A policyholder of a flood insurance 
policy issued under the national flood insurance program may 
appeal the denial of a claim arising under the policy in 
writing to the Office not later than 1 year after receipt of 
the denial.
``(2) Exhaustion of administrative appeals required before 
filing civil action.--A policyholder of a flood insurance 
policy issued under the national flood insurance program may 
not institute an action on a denied claim arising under the 
policy against the Administrator in a United States district 
court under section 1333 or 1341, as applicable, unless the 
policyholder has exhausted the appeals process under this 
section.
``(d) Duties and Responsibilities.--In administering appeals 
submitted under subsection (c)(1), the Office shall--
``(1) issue final appeal decisions through an appeal 
process established by the Office;
``(2) disseminate information to appellants concerning the 
information that an appellant may include in the appeal 
submissions;
``(3) provide an appellant with an opportunity to discuss 
any issue on appeal with a claims expert in the Office;
``(4) provide aggregated appeals data to the Office of the 
Flood Insurance Advocate for use in fulfilling the duties and 
responsibilities of that office under section 24(b) of the 
Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (42 U.S.C. 
4033(b)); and
``(5) publish final appeal decisions to a public-facing 
website--
``(A) to inform the public; and
``(B) for awareness to support transparency and 
training for Write Your Own Companies and contractors 
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
``(e) Regulations.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of implementing the appeals 
process under this section, the Administrator may promulgate 
new regulations or use regulations that were in effect on the 
date of enactment of this section, except that--
``(A) the Administrator may not declare any appeal 
ineligible if the policyholder submits the appeal to 
the Office not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the policyholder receives the denial of the 
applicable claim, as required under subsection (c)(1);
``(B) upon receiving all information necessary to 
complete an appeal, the Office shall notify the 
appellant that the Office will make a final decision 
not later than 90 days after receipt of that 
information; and
``(C) not later than 90 days after receipt of all 
information necessary to complete an appeal, the Office 
shall make a final decision on the appeal.
``(2) Enforcement of final decision deadline.--If the 
Office does not comply with the deadline under paragraph (1)(C) 
with respect to an appeal, and the policyholder that brought 
the appeal is ultimately successful, the Administrator shall 
pay to the policyholder interest on the claim that is the 
subject of the appeal, which shall--
``(A) begin accruing on the date on which the 
policyholder submits the appeal; and
``(B) be calculated using the rate of return on a 
3-year Treasury bill, as in effect on the date 
described in subparagraph (A).
``(3) All information necessary.--For purposes of paragraph 
(1), the term `all information necessary' includes information 
obtained from a physical reinspection of the property or from 
an expert report, if that information is needed in order to 
complete the review of the appeal.
``(4) Liability protection.--No cause of action shall lie 
or be maintained in any court against the United States, and 
any such action shall be promptly dismissed, for violation of 
the notification requirement under paragraph (1)(B).''.
(2) Effective date for new appeals process.--Subsection (c) 
of section 1349 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as 
added by paragraph (1), shall take effect on the date that is 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Repeal and Transfer.--
(1) In general.--Effective on the date that is 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, section 205 of the 
Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 
(42 U.S.C. 4011 note; Public Law 108-264) is repealed, and any 
appeals that were pending before the Administrator under that 
section on the day before that effective date shall be 
transferred to the Independent Office for Policyholder Appeals 
established under section 1349 of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (as added by subsection (a)) for disposition under 
such section 1349.
(2) Technical and conforming amendments.--
(A) Table of contents.--The table of contents for 
the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform 
Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-264; 118 Stat. 712) is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 205.
(B) Other amendment.--Section 204(a)(3) of the 
Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act 
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 4011 note; Public Law 108-264) is 
amended by striking ``section 205'' and inserting 
``section 1349 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968''.
(c) Judicial Review Reform.--
(1) Government program with industry assistance.--Section 
1341 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4072) is amended--
(A) by striking ``In the event the program'' and 
inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--If the program'';
(B) in subsection (a), as so designated--
(i) by inserting ``or the Administrator's 
fiscal agent'' after ``upon the disallowance by 
the Administrator'';
(ii) by striking ``within one year after 
the date of mailing of notice of disallowance 
or partial disallowance by the Administrator, 
may institute an action against the 
Administrator on such claim'' and inserting 
``not later than 1 year after exhausting 
available administrative remedies, may 
institute an action against the insurer on such 
claim''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies.--
``(1) In general.--For the purposes of subsection (a), a 
claimant exhausts available administrative remedies if--
``(A) the claimant submits an appeal and complies 
with all requirements of the appeal process established 
under section 1349 and other applicable requirements; 
and
``(B) the Administrator--
``(i) issues a final decision on the appeal 
that partially or fully concurs with the 
insurer's disallowance or partial disallowance 
of the claim; or
``(ii) makes no finding regarding the 
appeal by the date that is 90 days after the 
date on which the Administrator acknowledges 
receipt and acceptance of the appeal.
``(c) Limitations.--
``(1) Issues raised on appeal.--An action may not be 
instituted under this section for any issue of a claim that was 
not presented to the Administrator on appeal.
``(2) Weight of administrator's disposition.--For purposes 
of this section, disposition of an appeal by the Administrator 
shall not be competent evidence of liability or the amount of 
damages.''.
(2) Industry program with federal financial assistance.--
Section 1333 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4053) is amended--
(A) by striking ``The insurance companies and other 
insurers'' and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The insurance companies and other insurers'';
(B) in subsection (a), as so designated, by 
striking ``within one year after the date of mailing of 
notice of disallowance or partial disallowance of the 
claim, may institute an action on such claim against 
such company or other insurer'' and inserting ``not 
later than 1 year after exhausting available 
administrative remedies, may institute an action on the 
claim against the company or other insurer''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies.--For the purposes of 
subsection (a), a claimant exhausts available administrative remedies 
if--
``(1) the claimant submits an appeal and complies with all 
requirements of the appeal process established under section 
1349 and other applicable requirements; and
``(2) the Administrator--
``(A) issues a final decision on the appeal that 
partially or fully concurs with the insurer's 
disallowance or partial disallowance of the claim; or
``(B) makes no finding regarding the appeal by the 
date that is 90 days after the date on which the 
Administrator acknowledges receipt and acceptance of 
the appeal.
``(c) Limitations.--
``(1) Issues raised on appeal.--An action may not be 
instituted under this section for any issue of a claim that was 
not presented to the Administrator on appeal.
``(2) Weight of administrator's disposition.--For purposes 
of this section, disposition of an appeal by the Administrator 
shall not be competent evidence of liability or the amount of 
damages.''.

SEC. 405. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR UNDERPAYMENTS AND OVERPAYMENTS BY WRITE 
YOUR OWN COMPANIES.

Section 1348 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4084) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Underpayments and Overpayments.--
``(1) Accountability for underpayments.--If the 
Administrator determines through any audit that the pool or an 
insurance company or other private organization described in 
subsection (a) has not adjusted a claim in accordance with 
adjusting standards that are in effect as of the date on which 
the adjustment is performed and, as a result of that failure, 
has underpaid or overpaid a claim of a policyholder, the 
penalty imposed by the Administrator with respect to such a 
failure may not be less for an overpayment of a claim than for 
an underpayment of a claim.
``(2) Safe harbor for certain overpayments.--The 
Administrator may not impose a penalty on the pool or an 
insurance company or other private organization described in 
subsection (a) for overpayment of a claim of a policyholder for 
reasons described in paragraph (1) of this subsection if--
``(A) the overpayment was not in bad faith; and
``(B) the amount of the overpayment was not more 
than 4 percent of the coverage limit of the policy.
``(d) GAO Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this subsection, and triennially thereafter, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee 
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report 
regarding any penalties imposed by the Administrator under subsection 
(c)(1).''.

SEC. 406. POLICYHOLDERS' RIGHT TO KNOW.

(a) Use.--Section 1312 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4019), as amended by section 403(c), is amended by inserting 
after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Use of Technical Assistance Reports.--When adjusting claims 
for any damage to or loss of property that is covered by flood 
insurance made available under this title, the Administrator may rely 
upon technical assistance reports, as defined in section 1312A(a), only 
if the reports are final and are prepared in compliance with applicable 
State and Federal laws regarding professional licensure and conduct.''.
(b) Disclosure.--Chapter I of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
1312 (42 U.S.C. 4019) the following:

``SEC. 1312A. DISCLOSURE OF CLAIMS DOCUMENTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 
REPORTS.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `policyholder' means any person listed as a 
named or additional insured on the declarations page of a 
policy for flood insurance coverage made available under this 
title; and
``(2) the term `technical assistance report' means a report 
created for the purpose of furnishing technical assistance to 
an insurance claims adjuster assigned under the national flood 
insurance program, including any report created by an engineer, 
a surveyor, a salvor, an architect, or a certified public 
accountant.
``(b) Provision of Copies.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 552a of title 5, 
United States Code, not later than 1 week after the date on 
which the Administrator receives a written request, or a 
request submitted online, from a policyholder, and with respect 
to a claim for loss submitted by the policyholder for any 
damage to or loss of property that is covered by the policy, 
the Administrator shall provide a true, complete, and 
unredacted copy of--
``(A) all documents that constitute the claim file 
of the insurance company with respect to the claim, in 
accordance with the memorandum issued by the 
Administrator on June 1, 2018, entitled `Guidance for 
the Release of Claim File Information to Policyholders' 
(WYO Bulletin W-18012) (or any successor document);
``(B) any document created by any adjuster in 
scoping the loss, including measurements, photographs, 
and notes;
``(C) any estimates of damages with respect to the 
claim;
``(D) any draft and final technical assistance 
report relating to adjusting and paying or denying the 
claim;
``(E) any proof of loss, supplemental proofs of 
loss, or any equivalent notices, together with 
supporting documentation, with respect to the claim; 
and
``(F) any document relating to the denial or 
partial denial of the claim.
``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) may 
be construed to limit the right of a policyholder to receive a 
disclosure under section 552a of title 5, United States Code, 
or any other provision of law.
``(c) Direct Disclosure by Write Your Own Companies and Direct 
Servicing Agents.--
``(1) In general.--A Write Your Own Company or direct 
servicing agent in possession of any technical assistance 
report that is subject to disclosure under subsection (b) may 
disclose such technical assistance report without further 
review or approval by the Administrator.
``(2) Affirmative notification.--A Write Your Own Company, 
or any other entity servicing a claim under the national flood 
insurance program, shall, not later than 30 days after the date 
on which the company or entity receives notice of a claim, 
notify the claimant that the claimant or an authorized 
representative of the claimant may obtain, upon request, a copy 
of any claim-related document described in subsection (b)(1) 
that pertains to the claimant.''.
(c) Transmission of Report Without Approval.--
(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``final 
engineering report'' means an engineering report, survey, or 
other document in connection with a claim for losses covered by 
a policy for flood insurance coverage made available under the 
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) 
that--
(A) is based on an on-site inspection;
(B) contains final conclusions with respect to an 
engineering issue or issues involved in the claim; and
(C) is signed by the responsible in charge or 
affixed with the seal of the responsible in charge, or 
both.
(2) Transmission.--A Write Your Own Company or a National 
Flood Insurance Program direct servicer may, without obtaining 
further review or approval by the Administrator, transmit to a 
policyholder a final engineering report in the possession of 
the Write Your Own Company or the direct servicer in connection 
with a claim submitted by the policyholder.

SEC. 407. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN CONTRACTS UNDER THE NATIONAL FLOOD 
INSURANCE PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Part C of chapter II of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.), as amended by section 
404, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1350. TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `covered entity' means any attorney, law 
firm, consultant, or third-party company that provides services 
to a Write Your Own company; and
``(2) the term `Write Your Own company' means a company 
participating in the cooperative undertaking between the 
insurance industry and the Federal Insurance and Mitigation 
Administration that allows participating property and casualty 
insurance companies to write and service standard flood 
insurance policies.
``(b) Termination.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the Administrator may terminate a contract or other 
agreement between a covered entity and a Write Your Own company 
if the Administrator--
``(A) determines that the covered entity has 
engaged in conduct that is detrimental to the flood 
insurance program authorized under chapter I; and
``(B) not later than 14 days before terminating the 
contract or other agreement, provides notice to the 
covered entity of the termination.
``(2) Appeal.--The Administrator shall establish a process 
for a covered entity to appeal a termination of a contract or 
other agreement under paragraph (1).
``(3) Early termination payouts.--The Administrator or a 
Write Your Own company is not required to make any early 
termination payout to a covered entity with respect to a 
contract or agreement with the Write Your Own company that the 
Administrator terminates under paragraph (1).''.
(b) Effective Date; Applicability.--The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall--
(1) take effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2) apply to any contract or other agreement between a 
covered entity and a Write Your Own company (as those terms are 
defined in section 1349(a) of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968, as added by subsection (a)) entered into on or after 
the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 408. DEADLINE FOR CLAIM PROCESSING.

(a) In General.--Section 1312 of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019), as amended by section 406(a), is amended by 
inserting after subsection (g) the following:
``(h) Deadline for Approval of Claims.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall provide that, in 
the case of a claim for damage to or loss of property that is 
covered by a policy for flood insurance made available under 
this title--
``(A) except as provided in paragraph (2), not 
later than 60 days after the date on which a proof of 
loss or comparable submission is provided to the 
Administrator--
``(i) an initial determination regarding 
approval of the claim for payment or 
disapproval of the claim shall be made; and
``(ii) notification of the determination 
described in clause (i) shall be provided to 
the policyholder making the claim; and
``(B) payment of an approved claim shall be made as 
soon as possible after that approval.
``(2) Extension of deadline.--The Administrator shall--
``(A) provide that the period described in 
paragraph (1)(A) may be extended by an additional 
period of 30 days under extraordinary circumstances; 
and
``(B) by regulation--
``(i) establish criteria for--
``(I) demonstrating the 
extraordinary circumstances described 
in subparagraph (A); and
``(II) determining to which claims 
the extraordinary circumstances 
described in subparagraph (A) apply; 
and
``(ii) provide that, if the deadline 
imposed under paragraph (1)(A), as extended 
under subparagraph (A), if applicable, is not 
satisfied the amount of the claim to which the 
deadline relates shall be increased with 
interest, which shall begin accruing on the 
date on which the initial claim is filed.
``(3) Deadline tolled during certain communication with 
policyholder.--The deadline under paragraph (1) shall be tolled 
during any period during which the Administrator or a Write 
Your Own Company is trying to obtain more information from a 
policyholder regarding a claim made by the policyholder, or is 
otherwise working with a policyholder to develop such a 
claim.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to any claim for damage to or loss of property that is covered by 
a policy for flood insurance made available under the National Flood 
Insurance Program that is made after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 409. NO MANIPULATION OF ENGINEER REPORTS.

Section 1312 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4019), as amended by section 408(a), is amended by inserting after 
subsection (h) the following:
``(i) Final Engineering Reports.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
``(A) the term `covered claim' means any claim for 
losses covered by a policy for flood insurance coverage 
made available under this title; and
``(B) the term `final engineering report' means an 
engineering report, survey, or other document in 
connection with a covered claim that--
``(i) is based on an on-site inspection;
``(ii) contains final conclusions with 
respect to an engineering issue or issues 
involved in the claim; and
``(iii) is signed by the responsible in 
charge or affixed with the seal of the 
responsible in charge, or both.
``(2) Prohibition on manipulation and transmission to third 
parties.--The Administrator shall require that, in the case of 
any on-site inspection of a property by an engineer for the 
purpose of assessing any covered claim, the final engineering 
report--
``(A) may not--
``(i) include alterations by, or at the 
request of, anyone other than the person 
responsible for the report; or
``(ii) be transmitted to any other person 
before the final engineering report is 
transmitted to the policyholder who submitted 
the covered claim; and
``(B) shall include a certification, signed by the 
person responsible for the final engineering report, 
that the final engineering report does not contain any 
alterations described in subparagraph (A).''.

SEC. 410. IMPROVED TRAINING OF FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS, AGENTS, AND 
ADJUSTERS.

(a) Local Floodplain Managers.--Each regional office of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall--
(1) provide training to local floodplain managers, agents, 
and claim adjusters in the region regarding the 
responsibilities and procedures of local floodplain managers 
with respect to conducting substantial damage and substantial 
improvement determinations;
(2) work with applicable State agencies to provide the 
training described in paragraph (1); and
(3) verify that the individuals described in paragraph (1) 
are completing the training described in that paragraph.
(b) Major Disaster Training.--After a flood that is declared a 
major disaster by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), 
the Administrator shall, if determined appropriate, provide--
(1) refresher training to prepare insurance claims 
adjusters for the unique circumstances of the major disaster; 
and
(2) any briefings that are necessary to prepare and inform 
floodplain managers, agents, and claim adjusters regarding any 
atypical circumstances and issues arising from the natural 
disaster.

SEC. 411. FLOOD INSURANCE CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

(a) In General.--The Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance 
Reform Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-264; 118 Stat. 712) is amended--
(1) in section 201 (42 U.S.C. 4011 note)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Director of 
the'' and inserting ``Administrator of the''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``4001'' after 
``U.S.C.''; and
(2) by striking section 207 (42 U.S.C. 4011 note) and 
inserting the following:

``SEC. 207. CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INSURANCE AGENTS.

``(a) In General.--The Director shall require each insurance agent 
who sells flood insurance policies under the Program to, once every 2 
years, complete a 3-hour continuing education course that--
``(1) subject to subsection (c), is approved by the 
insurance commissioner of the State in which the agent is a 
legal resident; and
``(2) focuses on issues with respect to the Program.
``(b) Failure To Complete Course.--If an insurance agent who sells 
flood insurance policies does not complete a continuing education 
course required under subsection (a), the agent, until the date on 
which the agent completes the course in accordance with the 
requirements of this section, may not--
``(1) sell flood insurance policies; or
``(2) perform any duties with respect to the Program.
``(c) Agents Licensed in Multiple States.--
``(1) In general.--If an insurance agent who sells flood 
insurance policies is licensed to sell insurance in more than 1 
State--
``(A) the agent shall submit proof of completion of 
a continuing education course required under subsection 
(a) to the insurance commissioner of each State in 
which the agent is licensed; and
``(B) each insurance commissioner to whom an 
insurance agent submits a proof of completion under 
subparagraph (A) may determine whether the course to 
which that proof of completion relates meets the 
minimum standards established by that insurance 
commissioner.
``(2) Effect of denial.--If an insurance commissioner of a 
State (referred to in this paragraph as the `rejecting 
commissioner') determines under paragraph (1)(B) that a 
continuing education course taken in another State by an 
insurance agent who sells flood insurance policies does not 
meet the minimum standards established by the rejecting 
commissioner, the insurance agent may not take any action 
described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b) until the 
agent satisfies the minimum requirements established by the 
rejecting commissioner.
``(d) Rule of Construction.--Any reference in this section to an 
insurance commissioner of a State shall be construed as a reference to 
an equivalent official with respect to any State in which there is no 
official who has the title of insurance commissioner.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for 
the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 
(Public Law 108-264; 118 Stat. 712) is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 207 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 207. Continuing education requirements for insurance agents.''.

SEC. 412. SHIFTING OF ATTORNEY FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES.

Section 1341 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4072), as amended by section 404(c), is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
``(d) Attorney Fees and Other Expenses.--A Write Your Own Company 
against which an action is instituted under this subsection shall be 
considered an agency of the United States for the purposes of section 
2412(d) of title 28, United States Code.''.

SEC. 413. DOJ DEFENSE AGAINST POLICYHOLDER LAWSUITS.

Subsection (b) of section 1341 of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4072), as added by section 404(c), is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
``(2) Representation by department of justice.--If a 
claimant institutes an action under this section--
``(A) the Administrator shall refer the matter to 
the Attorney General; and
``(B) the Attorney General--
``(i) shall represent the Administrator or 
the Write Your Own company, as applicable, in 
the action; and
``(ii) may not seek to have the court 
dismiss an action with potentially meritorious 
claims based on good faith errors or omissions 
by the claimant in the claimant's proof of 
loss.''.

SEC. 414. REFORMING USE OF PROOF OF LOSS FORMS.

(a) In General.--Section 1312 of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019), as amended by section 409, is amended by 
inserting after subsection (i) the following:
``(j) No Condition of Payment of Undisputed Claim on Proof of 
Loss.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, or any term or condition of a standard flood insurance 
policy, the Administrator--
``(A) may not condition payment of an undisputed 
claim based on the submission of a proof of loss; and
``(B) may instead accept a report submitted by the 
insurance adjuster the Administrator hires to 
investigate the claim, if the report is signed by the 
policyholder, unless the Administrator determines that 
conditions make signature impracticable.
``(2) Refusal to accept amount paid.--Upon the refusal of a 
policyholder to accept the amount paid under paragraph (1), the 
Administrator may require the policyholder to submit a proof of 
loss within a timeframe determined by the Administrator.''.
(b) Guidance to Defense Attorneys.--The Administrator shall issue 
guidance for best practices for attorneys defending actions instituted 
under section 1333 or 1341, as applicable, of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4053, 4072) (as amended by section 
404(c)) relating to how to respond to unintentional errors in a proof 
of loss submitted by a policyholder under the National Flood Insurance 
Policy.

SEC. 415. AGENT ADVISORY COUNCIL.

Part C of chapter II of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.), as amended by section 407, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1351. AGENT ADVISORY COUNCIL.

``(a) Establishment.--There is established a council to be known as 
the Agent Advisory Council (in this section referred to as the 
`Council').
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) Members.--The Council shall consist of--
``(A) the Administrator, or the designee of the 
Administrator; and
``(B) 11 additional members appointed by the 
Administrator or the designee of the Administrator, of 
whom--
``(i) 1 shall be a member of the National 
Association of Insurance Commissioners;
``(ii) 2 shall be members of the 
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of 
America;
``(iii) 1 shall be a member of United 
Policyholders;
``(iv) 1 shall be a representative of the 
Emergency Management Institute of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency;
``(v) 1 shall be a representative of the 
Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency;
``(vi) 2 shall be members of the National 
Association of Professional Insurance Agents;
``(vii) 1 shall be a representative of a 
recognized professional association or 
organization representing homebuilders or land 
developers;
``(viii) 1 shall be a representative of a 
recognized professional association or 
organization representing the real estate 
industry; and
``(ix) 1 of whom shall be a representative 
of a recognized consumer protection group.
``(2) Qualifications.--
``(A) In general.--Each member of the Council shall 
have experience with--
``(i) contacting policyholders under the 
national flood insurance program, including 
with respect to applying for flood insurance 
and processing a claim for damage to or loss of 
property that is covered by flood insurance; 
and
``(ii) riverine and coastal flood insurance 
policies.
``(B) Considerations.--The Administrator shall, to 
the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the 
membership of the Council has a balance of governmental 
and private members, and includes geographic diversity.
``(C) Conflicts of interest.--A member of the 
Council--
``(i) may not, while serving on the 
Council, be employed or retained--
``(I) by a Federal Emergency 
Management Agency contractor or 
consultant; or
``(II) by a nongovernmental entity 
that was awarded a Federal grant during 
the 5-year period preceding the date on 
which the member was appointed to the 
Council; and
``(ii) may not have been employed by a 
Federal Emergency Management Agency contractor 
or consultant during the 5-year period 
preceding the date on which the member was 
appointed to the Council.
``(3) Consultation.--In appointing a member of the Council 
from an entity described in clauses (i) through (ix) of 
paragraph (1)(B), the Administrator or the designee of the 
Administrator, as applicable, shall consult with the entity.
``(4) Chairperson.--The members of the Council shall elect 
1 member to serve as the chairperson of the Council (in this 
section referred to as the `Chairperson').
``(c) Duties.--The Council shall--
``(1) provide recommendations to the Administrator on--
``(A) improving the customer experience for 
policyholders under the national flood insurance 
program;
``(B) training insurance agents that issue flood 
insurance policies; and
``(C) improving the processing and handling of 
claims for damage to or loss of property that is 
covered by flood insurance; and
``(2) submit to the Administrator an annual report that 
includes--
``(A) a description of the activities of the 
Council; and
``(B) a summary of recommendations made by the 
Council to the Administrator.
``(d) Compensation.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
member of the Council shall receive no additional compensation 
for serving on the Council.
``(2) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Council may be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 
5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular 
places of business in performance of services for the Council.
``(e) Meetings and Actions.--
``(1) Meetings.--
``(A) In general.--The Council shall meet not less 
frequently than twice each year at the request of the 
Chairperson or a majority of the members of the 
Council.
``(B) Initial meeting.--The Administrator, or a 
designee of the Administrator, shall request and 
coordinate the initial meeting of the Council.
``(2) Action by majority vote.--The Council may take action 
by a vote of the majority of the members.
``(f) Officers.--The Chairperson may appoint officers to assist in 
carrying out the duties of the Council under subsection (c).
``(g) Staff.--Upon the request of the Chairperson, the 
Administrator may detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, personnel of the 
Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency to assist the Council in carrying out the duties of 
the Council.
``(h) Powers.--In carrying out this section, the Council may hold 
hearings, receive evidence and assistance, provide information, and 
conduct research as the Council considers appropriate.
``(i) Report to Congress and OMB.--The Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, 
the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, 
and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget an annual 
report on--
``(1) the recommendations made by the Council; and
``(2) any recommendations made by the Council during the 
year covered by the report that, as of the date on which the 
report is submitted, have been deferred or not acted upon, 
together with an explanatory statement with respect to those 
recommendations.
``(j) Applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 
1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Council.''.

SEC. 416. DISCLOSURE OF FLOOD RISK INFORMATION PRIOR TO TRANSFER OF 
PROPERTY.

(a) In General.--Chapter I of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.), as amended by section 207, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1327. DISCLOSURE OF FLOOD RISK INFORMATION PRIOR TO TRANSFER OF 
PROPERTY.

``(a) In General.--After September 30, 2024, no new flood insurance 
coverage may be provided under this title for any real property unless 
an appropriate public body has imposed, by statute or regulation, a 
duty on any seller or lessor of improved real estate to provide to any 
purchaser or lessee (with respect to a lease for a term that is not 
shorter than 30 days) of the property a property flood hazard 
disclosure that the Administrator has determined meets the requirements 
of subsection (b).
``(b) Disclosure Requirements.--
``(1) Requirements for sellers.--A property flood hazard 
disclosure for the sale of a property shall meet the 
requirements of this subsection only if the disclosure--
``(A) is made in writing;
``(B) discloses any actual knowledge of the seller 
of--
``(i) any prior physical damage caused by 
flood to a structure located on the property;
``(ii) any prior insurance claim for a loss 
covered under the national flood insurance 
program or private flood insurance with respect 
to the property;
``(iii) any previous notification regarding 
the designation of the property as a repetitive 
loss structure or severe repetitive loss 
structure (as defined in section 1366(h));
``(iv) any Federal legal obligation to 
obtain and maintain flood insurance running 
with the property;
``(v) whether the property is located in a 
wetland;
``(vi) whether a National Flood Insurance 
Program Elevation Certificate has been 
completed for the property; and
``(vii) whether the property has received 
disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, the Small Business 
Administration, or the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development;
``(C) discloses to the maximum extent feasible, in 
a manner to be determined by the Administrator--
``(i) the relative flood risk associated 
with the property as indicated in flood hazard 
data maintained by the Administrator under this 
title; and
``(ii) the availability of and approximate 
cost of flood insurance for the property; and
``(D) is delivered by, or on behalf of, the seller 
to the purchaser before the purchaser becomes obligated 
under any contract to purchase the property.
``(2) Requirements for lessors.--A property flood hazard 
disclosure for a rental property with a lease for a term that 
is not shorter than 30 days shall meet the requirements of this 
subsection only if the disclosure--
``(A) is made in writing;
``(B) discloses any actual knowledge of the 
lessor--
``(i) of any Federal legal obligation to 
obtain and maintain flood insurance running 
with the property;
``(ii) regarding any prior physical damage 
caused by flood with respect to the unit being 
leased; and
``(iii) of the availability of coverage 
under this title for contents located in a 
structure on the property; and
``(C) is delivered by, or on behalf of, the lessor 
to the lessee before the lessee becomes obligated under 
any contract to lease the property.
``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed as preventing a State from adopting disclosure 
requirements in addition to the requirements of this 
section.''.
(b) Availability of Flood Insurance Coverage.--Section 1305(c) of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4012(c)) is 
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, and'' at the end and 
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) given satisfactory assurance that, not later than 
October 1, 2024, property flood hazard disclosure requirements 
will have been adopted for the area (or subdivision) that meet 
the requirements of section 1327.''.

SEC. 417. GRACE PERIOD FOR RENEWAL OF COVERAGE AT RENEWAL OFFER RATE.

Section 1308 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4015) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(n) Grace Period for Renewal of Coverage at Renewal Offer Rate.--
Notwithstanding section 1307(g)(1), if a policyholder renews a policy 
for flood insurance under this title not later than 90 days after the 
date on which the policy lapsed in coverage, the Administrator shall 
charge the same rate for the policy that the Administrator would have 
charged if the policyholder had renewed the policy before the lapse in 
coverage.''.
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