for the term of the loan by flood insurance 
in the amount provided in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(ii) DEFINITION.—For purposes of 
this subparagraph, the term ‘covered Fed-
eral mortgage entity’ means— 
‘‘(I) the Secretary of Housing 
and Urban Development, with respect 
to mortgages insured under the Na-
tional Housing Act; 
‘‘(II) the Secretary of Agri-
culture, with respect to loans made, 
insured, or guaranteed under title V 
of the Housing Act of 1949; and 
‘‘(III) the Government National 
Mortgage Association. 
‘‘(C) REQUIREMENT TO ACCEPT FLOOD IN-
SURANCE.—Each Federal agency lender and 
each covered Federal mortgage entity shall ac-
cept flood insurance as satisfaction of the flood 
insurance coverage requirement under subpara-
graph (A) or (B), respectively, if the flood in-
surance coverage meets the requirements for 
coverage under such subparagraph and the re-
quirements relating to financial strength issued 
pursuant to paragraph (4).
‘‘(3) GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED
ENTERPRISES 
FOR HOUSING.—The Federal National Mortgage As-
sociation and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
Corporation shall implement procedures reasonably 
designed to ensure that, for any loan that is— 
‘‘(A) secured by improved real estate or a 
mobile home located in an area that has been 
identified, at the time of the origination of the 
loan or at any time during the term of the loan, 
by the Administrator as an area having special 
flood hazards and in which flood insurance is 
available under the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968, and 
‘‘(B) purchased or guaranteed by such en-
tity, 
the building or mobile home and any personal prop-
erty securing the loan is covered for the term of the 
loan by flood insurance in the amount provided in 
paragraph (1). The Federal National Mortgage As-
sociation and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
Corporation shall accept flood insurance as satisfac-
tion of the flood insurance coverage requirement 
under paragraph (1) if the flood insurance coverage 
provided meets the requirements for coverage under
that paragraph and the requirements relating to fi-
nancial strength issued pursuant to paragraph (4). 
‘‘(4) REQUIREMENTS
REGARDING
FINANCIAL 
STRENGTH.—The Director of the Federal Housing 
Finance Agency, in consultation with the Federal 
National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home 
Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Secretary of Hous-
ing and Urban Development, the Government Na-
tional Mortgage Association, and the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall develop and implement require-
ments relating to the financial strength of private 
insurance companies from which such entities and 
agencies will accept private flood insurance, provided 
that such requirements shall not affect or conflict 
with any State law, regulation, or procedure con-
cerning the regulation of the business of insurance. 
‘‘(5) APPLICABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) EXISTING
COVERAGE.—Except as 
provided in subparagraph (B), paragraph (1) 
shall apply on the date of enactment of the Rie-
gle Community Development and Regulatory 
Improvement Act of 1994. 
‘‘(B) NEW
COVERAGE.—Paragraphs (2) 
and (3) shall apply only with respect to any 
loan made, increased, extended, or renewed
after the expiration of the 1-year period begin-
ning on the date of enactment of the Riegle 
Community Development and Regulatory Im-
provement Act of 1994. Paragraph (1) shall 
apply with respect to any loan made, increased, 
extended, or renewed by any lender supervised 
by the Farm Credit Administration only after 
the expiration of the period under this subpara-
graph. 
‘‘(C) CONTINUED
EFFECT
OF
REGULA-
TIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
this subsection, the regulations to carry out 
paragraph (1), as in effect immediately before 
the date of enactment of the Riegle Community 
Development and Regulatory Improvement Act 
of 1994, shall continue to apply until the regu-
lations issued to carry out paragraph (1) as 
amended by section 522(a) of such Act take ef-
fect. 
‘‘(6) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Except as oth-
erwise specified, any reference to flood insurance in 
this section shall be considered to include Federal 
flood insurance and private flood insurance. Nothing 
in this subsection shall be construed to supersede or 
limit the authority of a Federal entity for lending
regulation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, a 
Federal agency lender, a covered Federal mortgage 
entity (as such term is defined in paragraph 
(2)(B)(ii)), the Federal National Mortgage Associa-
tion, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corpora-
tion to establish requirements relating to the finan-
cial strength of private insurance companies from 
which the entity or agency will accept private flood 
insurance, provided that such requirements shall not 
affect or conflict with any State law, regulation, or 
procedure concerning the regulation of the business 
of insurance.’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(8) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(A) FLOOD INSURANCE.—The term ‘flood 
insurance’ means— 
‘‘(i) Federal flood insurance; and 
‘‘(ii) private flood insurance. 
‘‘(B) FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE.—The 
term ‘Federal flood insurance’ means an insur-
ance policy made available under the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 
et seq.).
‘‘(C) MUTUAL
AID
SOCIETY.—The term 
‘mutual aid society’ means an organization— 
‘‘(i) the members of which— 
‘‘(I) share a common set of eth-
ical or religious beliefs; and 
‘‘(II) in accordance with the be-
liefs described in subclause (I), agree 
to cover expenses arising from damage 
to property of the members of the or-
ganization, including damage caused 
by flooding; and 
‘‘(ii) that has a demonstrated history 
of fulfilling the terms of agreements to 
cover expenses arising from damage to 
property of the members of the organiza-
tion caused by flooding. 
‘‘(D) PRIVATE
FLOOD
INSURANCE.—The 
term ‘private flood insurance’ means— 
‘‘(i) an insurance policy that— 
‘‘(I) is issued by an insurance 
company that is— 
‘‘(aa) licensed, admitted, or 
otherwise approved to engage in 
the business of insurance in the 
State in which the insured build-
‘‘(I) determined that the specific 
mutual aid society may not provide 
such coverage or provide such cov-
erage in such manner; or 
‘‘(II) 
specifically 
provided 
through law or regulation that mutual 
aid societies may not provide such 
coverage or provide such coverage in 
such manner. 
‘‘(E) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means any 
State of the United States, the District of Co-
lumbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Vir-
gin Islands, and American Samoa.’’. 
(b) EFFECT OF PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE COV-
ERAGE ON CONTINUOUS COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.— 
Section 1308 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4015), as amended by the preceding provisions 
of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(o) EFFECT OF PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE COV-
ERAGE ON CONTINUOUS COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.— 
For purposes of applying any statutory, regulatory, or ad-
ministrative continuous coverage requirement, including 
under section 1307(g)(1), the Administrator shall consider
any period during which a property was continuously cov-
ered by private flood insurance (as defined in section 
102(b)(8) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 
(42 U.S.C. 4012a(b)(8))) to be a period of continuous cov-
erage.’’. 
SEC. 202. OPT-OUT OF MANDATORY COVERAGE REQUIRE-
MENT FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO FLOOD DISASTER PROTECTION 
ACT OF 1973.—Effective on January 1, 2019, the Flood 
Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended by the pre-
ceding provisions of this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in section 3(a) (42 U.S.C. 4003(a))— 
(A) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (11), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(12) ‘residential improved real estate’ means 
improved real estate that— 
‘‘(A) is primarily used for residential pur-
poses, as defined by the Federal entities for 
lending regulation; and 
‘‘(B) secures financing or financial assist-
ance provided through a federally related single
family loan program, as defined by the Federal 
entities for lending regulation.’’; and 
(2) in section 102 (42 U.S.C. 4012a)— 
(A) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ be-
fore ‘‘improved real estate’’; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ be-
fore ‘‘building or mobile home’’; 
(ii) in paragraph (2)— 
(I) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ be-
fore ‘‘improved real estate’’ each place 
such term appears; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ be-
fore ‘‘building or mobile home’’ each 
place such term appears; and 
(iii) in paragraph (3)— 
(I) in subparagraph (A), by in-
serting ‘‘residential’’ before ‘‘improved 
real estate’’; and 
(II) in the matter after and 
below subparagraph (B), by inserting 
‘‘residential’’ before ‘‘building or mo-
bile home’’;
(B) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ‘‘, in 
the case of any residential property, for any 
structure that is a part of such property’’ and 
inserting ‘‘for any structure that is a part of a 
residential property’’; 
(C) in subsection (e)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ be-
fore ‘‘improved real estate’’; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ be-
fore ‘‘building or mobile home’’ each 
place such term appears; and 
(ii) in paragraph (5)— 
(I) in subparagraph (A)— 
(aa) by inserting ‘‘residen-
tial’’ before ‘‘improved real es-
tate’’ each place such term ap-
pears; and 
(bb) by inserting ‘‘residen-
tial’’ before ‘‘building or mobile 
home’’ each place such term ap-
pears; 
(II) in subparagraph (B), by in-
serting ‘‘residential’’ before ‘‘building
or mobile home’’ each place such term 
appears; and 
(III) in subparagraph (C), by in-
serting ‘‘residential’’ before ‘‘building 
or mobile home’’; and 
(D) in subsection (h)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ before 
‘‘improved real estate’’ each place such 
term appears; and 
(ii) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by inserting ‘‘residential’’ before 
‘‘building or mobile home’’. 
(b) AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE 
ACT OF 1968.—Effective on January 1, 2019, the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended by the 
preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in section 1364(a) (42 U.S.C. 4104a(a))— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘resi-
dential’’ before ‘‘improved real estate’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘resi-
dential’’ before ‘‘improved real estate’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3)(A), by inserting ‘‘res-
idential’’ before ‘‘building’’; 
(2) in section 1365 (42 U.S.C. 4104b)— 
(A) in subsection (a)—
(i) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ before 
‘‘improved real estate’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ before 
‘‘building’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ before 
‘‘building’’ each place such term appears; 
and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ before 
‘‘improved real estate’’ each place such 
term appears; 
(C) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘resi-
dential’’ before ‘‘improved real estate’’ each 
place such term appears; and 
(D) in subsection (e)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ before 
‘‘improved real estate’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘residential’’ before 
‘‘building’’ each place such term appears; 
and 
(3) in section 1370 (42 U.S.C. 4121)— 
(A) in paragraph (8), by inserting ‘‘resi-
dential’’ before ‘‘improved real estate’’;
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (14) 
through (17) as paragraphs (15) through (18), 
respectively; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (13) the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(14) the term ‘residential improved real estate’ 
means improved real estate that— 
‘‘(A) is primarily used for residential pur-
poses, as defined by the Federal entities for 
lending regulation; and 
‘‘(B) secures financing or financial assist-
ance provided through a federally related single 
family loan program, as defined by the Federal 
entities for lending regulation;’’. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This section and the 
amendments made by this section may not be construed 
to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency from offering flood insurance cov-
erage under the National Flood Insurance Program for 
eligible non-residential properties, other residential multi-
family properties, or structures financed with commercial 
loans, or to prohibit the purchase of such coverage for 
such eligible properties.
SEC. 203. ELIMINATION OF NON-COMPETE REQUIREMENT. 
Section 1345 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE OTHER FLOOD COV-
ERAGE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator may 
not, as a condition of participating in the Write 
Your Own Program (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 1370(a)) or in otherwise participating in the 
utilization by the Administrator of the facilities and 
services of insurance companies, insurers, insurance 
agents and brokers, and insurance adjustment orga-
nizations pursuant to the authority in this section, 
nor as a condition of eligibility to engage in any 
other activities under the National Flood Insurance 
Program under this title, restrict any such company, 
insurer, agent, broker, or organization from offering 
and selling private flood insurance (as such term is 
defined in section 102(b)(9) of the Flood Disaster 
Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(b)(9))). 
‘‘(2) 
FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE/SUBSIDY
AR-
RANGEMENT.—After the date of the enactment of 
this subsection— 
‘‘(A) the Administrator may not include in 
any agreement entered into with any insurer for
participation in the Write Your Own Program 
any provision establishing a condition prohib-
ited by paragraph (1), including the provisions 
of Article XIII of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency, Federal Insurance Adminis-
tration, Financial Assistance/Subsidy Arrange-
ment, as adopted pursuant to section 62.23(a) 
of title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations; 
and 
‘‘(B) any such provision in any such agree-
ment entered into before such date of enact-
ment shall not have any force or effect, and the 
Administrator may not take any action to en-
force such provision.’’. 
SEC. 204. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF PROGRAM INFORMA-
TION. 
Part C of chapter II of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1349. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF PROGRAM INFORMA-
TION. 
‘‘(a) FLOOD RISK INFORMATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), to facilitate the National Flood Insurance 
Program becoming a source of information and data
for research and development of technology that bet-
ter understands flooding, the risk of flooding, and 
the predictability of perils of flooding, the Adminis-
trator shall make publicly available all data, models, 
assessments, analytical tools, and other information 
in the possession of the Administrator relating to 
the National Flood Insurance Program under this 
title that is used in assessing flood risk or identi-
fying and establishing flood elevations and pre-
miums, including— 
‘‘(A) data relating to risk on individual 
properties and loss ratio information and other 
information identifying losses under the pro-
gram; 
‘‘(B) current and historical policy informa-
tion, limited to the amount and term only, for 
properties currently covered by flood insurance 
and for properties that are no longer covered by 
flood insurance; 
‘‘(C) current and historical claims informa-
tion, limited to the date and amount paid only, 
for properties currently covered by flood insur-
ance and for properties that are no longer cov-
ered by flood insurance;
‘‘(D) identification of whether a property 
was constructed before or after the effective 
date of the first flood insurance rate map for a 
community; 
‘‘(E) identification of properties that have 
been mitigated through elevation, a buyout, or 
any other mitigation action; and 
‘‘(F) identification of unmitigated multiple- 
loss properties. 
‘‘(2) OPEN SOURCE DATA SYSTEM.—In carrying 
out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall establish 
an open source data system by which all information 
required to be made publicly available by such sub-
section may be accessed by the public on an imme-
diate basis by electronic means. 
‘‘(b) COMMUNITY INFORMATION.—Not later than the 
expiration of the 12-month period beginning upon the date 
of the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall 
establish and maintain a publicly searchable database that 
provides information about each community participating 
in the National Flood Insurance Program, which shall in-
clude the following information: 
‘‘(1) The status of the community’s compliance 
with the National Flood Insurance Program, includ-
ing any findings of noncompliance, the status of any
enforcement actions initiated by a State or by the 
Administrator, and the number of days of any such 
continuing noncompliance. 
‘‘(2) The number of properties located in the 
community’s special flood hazard areas that were 
built before the effective date of the first flood insur-
ance rate map for the community. 
‘‘(3) The number of properties located in the 
community’s special flood hazard areas that were 
built after the effective date of the first flood insur-
ance rate map for the community. 
‘‘(4) The total number of current and historical 
claims located outside the community’s special flood 
hazard areas. 
‘‘(5) The total number of multiple-loss prop-
erties in the community. 
‘‘(6) The portion of the community, stated as a 
percentage and in terms of square miles, that is lo-
cated within special flood hazard areas. 
‘‘(c) IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTIES.—The infor-
mation provided pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) shall 
be based on data that identifies properties at the zip code 
or census block level, and shall include the name of the 
community and State in which a property is located.
‘‘(d) PROTECTION OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE 
INFORMATION.—The information provided pursuant to 
subsections (a) and (b) shall be disclosed in a format that 
does not reveal individually identifiable information about 
property owners in accordance with the section 552a of 
title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITION OF LOSS RATIO.—For purposes of 
this section, the term ‘loss ratio’ means, with respect to 
the National Flood Insurance Program, the ratio of the 
amount of claims paid under the Program to the amount 
of premiums paid under the Program.’’. 
SEC. 205. REFUND OF PREMIUMS UPON CANCELLATION OF 
POLICY BECAUSE OF REPLACEMENT WITH 
PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE. 
Section 1306 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4013) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) REFUND OF UNEARNED PREMIUMS FOR POLI-
CIES CANCELED BECAUSE OF REPLACEMENT WITH PRI-
VATE FLOOD INSURANCE.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIRED
REFUND.—Subject to sub-
section (c), if at any time an insured under a policy 
for flood insurance coverage for a property that is 
made available under this title cancels such policy 
because other duplicate flood insurance coverage for
the same property has been obtained from a source 
other than the National Flood Insurance Program 
under this title, the Administrator shall refund to 
the former insured a portion of the premiums paid 
for the coverage made available under this title, as 
determined consistent with industry practice accord-
ing to the portion of the term of the policy that such 
coverage was in effect, but only if a copy of declara-
tions page of the new policy obtained from a source 
other than the program under this title is provided 
to the Administrator. 
‘‘(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE
OF
CANCELLATION.— 
For purposes of this subsection, a cancellation of a 
policy for coverage made available under the na-
tional flood insurance program under this title, for 
the reason specified in paragraph (1), shall be effec-
tive— 
‘‘(A) on the effective date of the new policy 
obtained from a source other than the program 
under this title, if the request for such cancella-
tion was received by the Administrator before 
the expiration of the 6-month period beginning 
on the effective date of the new policy; or 
‘‘(B) on the date of the receipt by the Ad-
ministrator of the request for cancellation, if
the request for such cancellation was received 
by the Administrator after the expiration of the 
6-month period beginning on the effective date 
of the new policy. 
‘‘(3) PROHIBITION
OF
REFUNDS
FOR
PROP-
ERTIES
RECEIVING
INCREASED
COST
OF
COMPLI-
ANCE CLAIMS.—No premium amounts paid for cov-
erage made available under this title may be re-
funded pursuant to this subsection— 
‘‘(A) with respect to coverage for any prop-
erty for which measures have been implemented 
using amounts received pursuant to a claim 
under increased cost of compliance coverage 
made available pursuant to section 1304(b); or 
‘‘(B) if a claim has been paid or is pending 
under the policy term for which the refund is 
sought.’’. 
SEC. 206. GAO STUDY OF FLOOD DAMAGE SAVINGS AC-
COUNTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study to analyze the feasi-
bility and effectiveness, and problems involved, in reducing 
flood insurance premiums and eliminating the need for 
purchase of flood insurance coverage by authorizing own-
ers of residential properties to establish flood damage sav-
ings accounts described in subsection (b) in lieu of com-
plying with the mandatory requirements under section 102 
of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 
4012a) to purchase flood insurance for such properties. 
(b) FLOOD DAMAGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT.—A flood 
damage savings account described in this subsection is a 
savings account— 
(1) that would be established by an owner of 
residential property with respect to such property in 
accordance with requirements established by the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency; and 
(2) the proceeds of which would be available for 
use only to cover losses to such properties resulting 
from flooding, pursuant to adjustment of a claim for 
such losses in the same manner and according to the 
same procedures as apply to claims for losses under 
flood insurance coverage made available under the 
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. 
(c) ISSUES.—Such study shall include an analysis of, 
and recommendation regarding, each of the following 
issues: 
(1) Whether authorizing the establishment of 
such flood damage savings accounts would be effec-
tive and efficient in reducing flood insurance pre-
miums, eliminating the need for purchase of flood 
insurance coverage made available under the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Program, and reducing risks 
to the financial safety and soundness of the National 
Flood Insurance Fund. 
(2) Possible options for structuring such flood 
damage savings accounts, including— 
(A) what types of institutions could hold 
such accounts and the benefits and problems 
with each such type of institution; 
(B) considerations affecting the amounts 
required to be held in such accounts; and 
(C) options regarding considerations the 
conditions under which such an account may be 
terminated. 
(3) The feasibility and effectiveness, and prob-
lems involved in, authorizing the Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency to 
make secondary flood insurance coverage available 
under the National Flood Insurance Program to 
cover the portion of flood losses or damages to prop-
erties for which such flood damage savings accounts 
have been established that exceed the amounts held 
in such accounts.
(4) The benefits and problems involved in au-
thorizing the establishment of such accounts for 
non-residential properties. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than the expiration of the 
12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report 
to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee on Banking, Housing, 
and Urban Affairs of the Senate, and the Administrator 
that sets forth the analysis, conclusions, and recommenda-
tions resulting from the study under this section. Such re-
port shall identify elements that should be taken into con-
sideration by the Administrator in designing and carrying 
out the demonstration program under section 207. 
SEC. 207. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR FLOOD DAMAGE 
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. 
(a) PLAN.—If the Comptroller General of the United 
States concludes in the report required under section 206 
that a demonstration program under this section is fea-
sible and should be considered, then the Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall, not 
later than the expiration of the 12-month period beginning 
upon the submission of the report under section 206(d), 
submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a plan and 
guidelines for a demonstration program, to be carried out 
by the Administrator, to demonstrate the feasibility and 
effectiveness of authorizing the establishment of flood 
damage savings accounts, taking into consideration the 
analysis, conclusions, and recommendations included in 
such report. 
(b) AUTHORITY.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall carry out a pro-
gram to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of 
authorizing the establishment of flood damage savings ac-
counts in the manner provided in plan and guidelines for 
the demonstration program submitted pursuant to sub-
section (a). 
(c) SCOPE.—The demonstration program under this 
section shall provide for the establishment of flood damage 
savings accounts with respect to not more than 5 percent 
of the residential properties that have 4 or fewer resi-
dences and that are covered by flood insurance coverage 
made available under the National Flood Insurance Pro-
gram. 
(d) TIMING.—The Administrator shall commence the 
demonstration program under this section not later than 
the expiration of the 12-month period beginning upon the
submission of the plan and guidelines for the demonstra-
tion pursuant to subsection (a). 
(e) GEOGRAPHICAL DIVERSITY.—The Administrator 
shall ensure that properties for which flood damage sav-
ings accounts are established under the demonstration are 
located in diverse geographical areas throughout the 
United States. 
(f) REPORT.—Upon the expiration of the 2-year pe-
riod beginning upon the date of the commencement of the 
demonstration program under this section, the Adminis-
trator shall submit a report to the Committee on Financial 
Services of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the 
Senate describing and assessing the demonstration, and 
setting forth conclusions and recommendations regarding 
continuing and expanding the demonstration. 
(g) FEASIBILITY.—The Administrator shall imple-
ment this section only after determining that implementa-
tion is supported by the Comptroller’s conclusions and rec-
ommendations contained in the report required under sec-
tion 206.
TITLE III—MAPPING FAIRNESS 
SEC. 301. USE OF OTHER RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS IN DE-
TERMINING PREMIUM RATES. 
(a) ESTIMATES OF PREMIUM RATES.—Subparagraph 
(A) of section 1307(a)(1) of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(a)(1)(A)), as amended by 
the preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(iv) both the risk identified by the 
applicable flood insurance rate maps and 
by other risk assessment data and tools, 
including risk assessment models and 
scores from appropriate sources; and’’. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT
OF CHARGEABLE PREMIUM 
RATES.—Paragraph (1) of section 1308(b) of the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4015(b)(1)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon 
at the end the following: ‘‘, taking into account both the 
risk identified by the applicable flood insurance rate maps 
and by other risk assessment data and tools, including risk 
assessment models and scores from appropriate sources’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE AND REGULATIONS.—
(1) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made 
by subsections (a) and (b) shall be made, and shall 
take effect, upon the expiration of the 36-month pe-
riod beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(2) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall issue 
regulations necessary to implement the amendments 
made by subsections (a) and (b), which shall identify 
risk assessment data and tools to be used in identi-
fying flood risk and appropriate sources for risk as-
sessment models and scores to be so used. Such reg-
ulations shall be issued not later than the expiration 
of the 36-month period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this Act and shall take effect upon the 
expiration of such period. 
SEC. 302. APPEALS REGARDING EXISTING FLOOD MAPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1360 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4101) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(k) APPEALS OF EXISTING MAPS.— 
‘‘(1) RIGHT TO APPEAL.—Subject to paragraph 
(6), a State or local government, or the owner or les-
see of real property, who has made a formal request 
to the Administrator to update a flood map that the
Administrator has denied may at any time appeal 
such a denial as provided in this subsection. 
‘‘(2) BASIS FOR APPEAL.—The basis for appeal 
under this subsection shall be the possession of 
knowledge or information that— 
‘‘(A) the base flood elevation level or des-
ignation of any aspect of a flood map is sci-
entifically or technically inaccurate; or 
‘‘(B) factors exist that mitigate the risk of 
flooding, including ditches, banks, walls, vegeta-
tion, levees, lakes, dams, reservoirs, basin, re-
tention ponds, and other natural or manmade 
topographical features. 
‘‘(3) APPEALS PROCESS.— 
‘‘(A) ADMINISTRATIVE
ADJUDICATION.— 
An appeal under this subsection shall be deter-
mined by a final adjudication on the record, 
and after opportunity for an administrative 
hearing. 
‘‘(B) RIGHTS UPON ADVERSE DECISION.— 
If an appeal pursuant to subparagraph (A) does 
not result in a decision in favor of the State, 
local government, owner, or lessee, such party 
may appeal the adverse decision to the Sci-
entific Resolution Panel provided for in section
1363A, which shall recommend a non-binding 
decision to the Administrator. 
‘‘(4) RELIEF.— 
‘‘(A) WHOLLY SUCCESSFUL APPEALS.—In 
the case of a successful appeal resulting in a 
policyholder’s property being removed from a 
special flood hazard area, such policyholder may 
cancel the policy at any time within the current 
policy year, and the Administrator shall provide 
such policyholder a refund in the amount of any 
premiums paid for such policy year, plus any 
premiums paid for flood insurance coverage 
that the policyholder was required to purchase 
or maintain during the 2-year period preceding 
such policy year. 
‘‘(B) PARTIALLY SUCCESSFUL APPEALS.— 
In the case of any appeal in which mitigating 
factors were determined to have reduced, but 
not eliminated, the risk of flooding, the Admin-
istrator shall reduce the amount of flood insur-
ance coverage required to be maintained for the 
property concerned by the ratio of the success-
ful portion of the appeal as compared to the en-
tire appeal. The Administrator shall refund to 
the policyholder any payments made in excess
of the amount necessary for such new coverage 
amount, effective from the time when the miti-
gating factor was created or the beginning of 
the second policy year preceding the determina-
tion of the appeal, whichever occurred later. 
‘‘(C) ADDITIONAL RELIEF.—The Adminis-
trator may provide additional refunds in excess 
of the amounts specified in subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) if the Administrator determines that 
such additional amounts are warranted. 
‘‘(5) RECOVERY OF COSTS.—When, incident to 
any appeal which is successful in whole or part re-
garding the designation of the base flood elevation 
or any aspect of the flood map, including elevation 
or designation of a special flood hazard area, the 
community, or the owner or lessee of real property, 
as the case may be, incurs expense in connection 
with the appeal, including services provided by sur-
veyors, engineers, and scientific experts, the Admin-
istrator shall reimburse such individual or commu-
nity for reasonable expenses to an extent measured 
by the ratio of the successful portion of the appeal 
as compared to the entire appeal, but not including 
legal services, in the effecting of an appeal based on 
a scientific or technical error on the part of the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency. No reimburse-
ment shall be made by the Administrator in respect 
to any fee or expense payment, the payment of 
which was agreed to be contingent upon the result 
of the appeal. The Administrator may use such 
amounts from the National Flood Insurance Fund 
established under section 1310 as may be necessary 
to carry out this paragraph. 
‘‘(6) INAPPLICABILITY TO COMMUNITY FLOOD 
MAPS.—This subsection shall not apply with respect 
to any flood map that is in effect pursuant to certifi-
cation under the standards, guidelines, and proce-
dures 
established 
pursuant 
to 
section 
100215(m)(1)(B) of the Biggert-Waters Flood In-
surance 
Reform 
Act 
of 
2012 
(42 
U.S.C. 
4101a(m)(1)(B)). 
‘‘(7) 
GUIDANCE.—The 
Administrator 
shall 
issue guidance to implement this subsection, which 
shall not be subject to the notice and comment re-
quirements under section 553 of title 5, United 
States Code.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall issue the guidance 
referred to section 1360(k)(7) of the National Flood In-
surance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4101(k)(7)), as added by
the amendment made by subsection (a) of this section, not 
later than the expiration of the 6-month period beginning 
on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 303. APPEALS AND PUBLICATION OF PROJECTED SPE-
CIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS. 
(a) APPEALS.—Section 1363 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking the second 
sentence and inserting the following: ‘‘Any owner or 
lessee of real property within the community who be-
lieves the owner’s or lessee’s rights to be adversely 
affected by the Administrator’s proposed determina-
tion may appeal such determination to the local gov-
ernment no later than 90 days after the date of the 
second publication.’’; 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (f)’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), and 
(g) as subsections (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(e) DETERMINATION BY ADMINISTRATOR IN THE 
ABSENCE OF APPEALS.—If the Administrator has not re-
ceived any appeals, upon expiration of the 90-day appeal 
period established under subsection (b) of this section the
Administrator’s proposed determination shall become 
final. The community shall be given a reasonable time 
after the Administrator’s final determination in which to 
adopt local land use and control measures consistent with 
the Administrator’s determination.’’. 
(b) PUBLICATION.—Subsection (a) of section 1363 of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4104(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘in the Federal Reg-
ister’’. 
(c) INAPPLICABILITY TO PRIVATE AND COMMUNITY 
FLOOD MAPS.—Section 1363 of the National Flood Insur-
ance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104), as amended by the 
preceding provisions of this section, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(i) 
INAPPLICABILITY
TO
COMMUNITY
FLOOD 
MAPS.—This section shall not apply with respect to any 
flood map that is in effect pursuant to certification under 
the standards, guidelines, and procedures established pur-
suant to section 100215(m)(1) of the Biggert-Waters 
Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 
4101a(m)(1)), which shall include procedures for pro-
viding notification and appeal rights to individuals within 
the communities of the proposed flood elevation deter-
minations.’’.
SEC. 304. COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH REGARDING 
MAP CHANGES. 
Paragraph (1) of section 100216(d) of the Biggert- 
Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 
4101b(d)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘max-
imum’’ before ‘‘30-day period’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘max-
imum’’ before ‘‘30-day period’’. 
SEC. 305. SHARING AND USE OF MAPS AND DATA. 
Subsection (b) of section 100216 of the Biggert- 
Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 
4101b(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’ ; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) consult and coordinate with the De-
partment of Defense, the United States Geo-
logical Survey, and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration for the purpose of 
obtaining the most-up-to-date maps and other 
information of such agencies, including infor-
mation on topography, water flow, and any 
other issues, relevant to mapping for flood in-
surance purposes.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as 
subparagraph (F); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (D) 
the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) any other information relevant to 
mapping for flood insurance purposes obtained 
pursuant to paragraph (1)(D); and’’. 
SEC. 306. COMMUNITY FLOOD MAPS. 
(a) TECHNICAL MAPPING ADVISORY COUNCIL.—Sec-
tion 100215 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Re-
form Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (6) as 
paragraph (9); and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (5) the 
following new paragraphs:
‘‘(6) recommend to the Administrator methods 
or actions to make the flood mapping processes more 
efficient; 
‘‘(7) recommend to the Administrator methods 
or actions to minimize any cost, data, and paper-
work requirements of the flood mapping processes; 
‘‘(8) assist communities, and in particular 
smaller communities, in locating the resources re-
quired to participate in the development of flood ele-
vations and flood hazard area designations; and’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(m) COMMUNITY FLOOD MAPS.— 
‘‘(1) STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES.—In addi-
tion to the other duties of the Council under this 
section, not later than the expiration of the 12- 
month period beginning on the date of the enact-
ment of this subsection, the Council shall rec-
ommend to the Administrator standards and re-
quirements for chief executive officers, or entities 
designated by chief executive officers, of States and 
communities participating in the National Flood In-
surance Program to use in mapping flood hazards 
located in States and communities that choose to de-
112 
‘‘(B) for any property for which three or 
more qualified claims payments have been 
made, the Administrator shall increase risk pre-
mium rates by 15 percent each year until such 
rates comply with paragraph (1) of this sub-
section.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
1307(g)(2) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(g)(2)) is amended by striking 
subparagraph (B) and inserting the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) in connection with a multiple-loss 
property.’’. 
(c) PRE-FIRM MULTIPLE-LOSS PROPERTY.— 
(1) TERMINATION OF SUBSIDY.—Section 1307 
of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4014) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2)— 
(i) by striking subparagraph (C) and 
inserting the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) any extreme repetitive-loss prop-
erty;’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
‘‘or’’; 
(iii) in subparagraph (E)—
124 
(k) REPEAL.—Section 1367 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104d) is repealed. 
SEC. 505. ELIMINATION OF COVERAGE FOR PROPERTIES 
WITH EXCESSIVE LIFETIME CLAIMS. 
Section 1305 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4012) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) PROHIBITION OF COVERAGE FOR PROPERTIES 
WITH EXCESSIVE LIFETIME CLAIMS.—The Administrator 
may not make available any new or renewed coverage for 
flood insurance under this title for any multiple-loss prop-
erty for which the aggregate amount in claims payments 
that have been made after the expiration of the 18-month 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this sub-
section under flood insurance coverage under this title ex-
ceeds three times the amount of the replacement value of 
the structure.’’. 
SEC. 506. PAY FOR PERFORMANCE AND STREAMLINING 
COSTS AND REIMBURSEMENT. 
Section 1345 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081), as amended by the preceding pro-
visions of this Act, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following subsection: 
‘‘(g) WRITE YOUR OWN ALLOWANCE AND PROGRAM 
SAVINGS.—