FAIRNESS in Flood Insurance Act of 2021

To require the Administrator to provide certain notices to property owners when undertaking remapping in geographic areas, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fixing Announcements for Intermittent Remapping and Notification Expectations to Stop Surprises in Flood Insurance Act of 2021 FAIRNESS in Flood Insurance Act of 2021 2. Mapping notice requirements Section 1360 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 ( 42 U.S.C. 4101 (k) Additional mapping notice requirements (1) Notice of remapping If the Administrator seeks to revise or update any floodplain areas and flood risk zones identified, delineated, or established under this section, the Administrator shall provide notice of such intended remapping, not less than 15 days before such remapping process is to begin, to each owner of a property in the geographic area being remapped, including each owner of a property located in an area within the geographic area being remapped that previously was not designated as having special flood hazards. (2) Notice of remapping appeals process (A) At the start of the appeals process (i) In general After completing a revision or update of any floodplain areas and flood risk zones identified, delineated, or established under this section, and prior to the implementation of such revision or update, the Administrator shall, not later than 30 days before the date on which the appeals process begins, provide notice to each owner of a property in the geographic area being remapped, including each owner of a property located in an area within the geographic area being remapped that will be included in a special flood hazard area. (ii) Contents The notice required under this subparagraph shall— (I) notify the property owner that the remapping process has been completed; (II) in the case of a property owner whose property is within a special flood hazard area, notify the property owner that flood insurance may be required and notify the property owner of the approximate cost of such flood insurance; (III) notify the property owner that the remapping appeals process has begun; and (IV) provide information to the property owner about the appeals process. (B) At the end of the appeals process (i) In general After completing a revision or update of any floodplain areas and flood risk zones identified, delineated, or established under this section, the Administrator shall, not later than 15 days after the conclusion of the appeals period, provide notice to each owner of a property in the geographic area being remapped, including each owner of a property located in an area within the geographic area being remapped that will be included in a special flood hazard area, that the remapping process has been completed and that the appeals process has concluded. (ii) Contents The notice required under this subparagraph shall— (I) in the case of a property owner whose property is within a special flood hazard area, notify the property owner that flood insurance may be required and notify the property owner of the approximate cost of such flood insurance; (II) notify the property owner of the date on which the appeals process for the remapping concluded; and (III) inform the property owner about additional avenues for recourse, including letters of map amendment and letters of map revision. (3) Notice requirements (A) In general With respect to any notice requirement under this subsection, the Administrator shall— (i) provide notice by mail in the form of a letter; and (ii) where possible, ensure that a reasonable attempt is made to send the letter to the mailing address of the owner of the property to which the notice relates if such address is different than the address of the property to which the notice relates. (B) Contracting limitation The Administrator may not contract with a State, Tribe, or any political subdivision thereof, including a State department, agency, or local government, to provide notices required under this subsection. .

Summary: Fixing Announcements for Intermittent Remapping and Notification Expectations to Stop Surprises in Flood Insurance Act of 2021 or the FAIRNESS in Flood Insurance Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide notice through the mail to property owners of any revision or update to any floodplain areas and flood risk zones identified, delineated, or established under the National Flood Insurance Program for coverage and rate purposes. Specifically, such notice must be provided not less than 15 days before the remapping process begins. The bill also sets forth notification requirements regarding the remapping appeals process and the finalization of the remapping process.