that, at the time the loan is consummated, that 
the recipient has a reasonable ability to repay 
the loan, according to its terms, 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)(E) (re-
lating to priority for assistance for low-income 
homeowners and low-income geographical areas); 
and 
‘‘(E) payments of principal and interest 
with respect to the loan will be deposited into the 
State loan fund; 
‘‘(2) to buy or refinance the debt obligation of a 
local government related to flood mitigation or resil-
iency activities, 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 gen-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
eral obligation bonds issued by the State if the pro-
ceeds of the sale of the bonds will be deposited into the 
State 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 State uses 
amounts from a State loan fund to provide financial 
assistance under subsection (c) in a low-income geo-
graphic area or to a low-income homeowner, the State 
may provide additional subsidization to the recipient 
of the assistance, including forgiveness of the prin-
cipal of a loan. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—For each fiscal year, the total 
amount of additional subsidization provided by a 
participating State under paragraph (1) may not ex-
ceed 30 percent of the amount of the capitalization 
grant allocated to the State for that fiscal year. 
‘‘(i) ADMINISTRATION OF FUND.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A participating State may 
combine the financial administration of a State loan 
fund with the financial administration of any other 
revolving fund established by the State if— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) combining the administration of the 
funds would— 
‘‘(i) be convenient and avoid adminis-
trative costs; and 
‘‘(ii) not violate the law of the State; 
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 loan fund, and interest earned on 
amounts in a State loan fund will be— 
‘‘(I) accounted for separately from 
amounts from other revolving funds; 
and 
‘‘(II) used only for purposes au-
thorized under this section; and 
‘‘(ii) after consulting with the appro-
priate State agencies, the authority to estab-
lish assistance priorities and carry out 
oversight and related activities, other than 
financial administration, with respect to 
flood assistance remains with the State 
agency with primary responsibility for 
floodplain management. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL COSTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For each fiscal year, a 
participating State may use the amount de-
scribed in subparagraph (B) to— 
‘‘(i) pay the reasonable costs of admin-
istration of the programs under this section, 
including the recovery of reasonable costs 
incurred in establishing a State loan fund; 
‘‘(ii) provide appropriate oversight of 
projects authorized under this section; and 
‘‘(iii) provide technical assistance and 
outreach to recipients in the State of 
amounts under this section, including with 
respect to updating hazard mitigation plans 
and participating in the Community Rat-
ing System, in an amount that is not more 
than 4 percent of the funds made available 
to the State 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 partici-
pating State to recover the costs described 
in subparagraph (A)(i), regardless of the 
source; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) the greatest of— 
‘‘(I) $400,000; 
‘‘(II) 0.2 percent of the value of 
the State loan fund of a State, as of 
the date on which the valuation is 
made; and 
‘‘(III) an amount equal to 7 per-
cent of all grant awards made to a 
participating State for the State loan 
fund of the State under this section for 
the fiscal year. 
‘‘(3) AUDIT AND REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) AUDIT REQUIREMENT.—Not less fre-
quently than biennially, each participating State 
shall conduct an audit of the State loan fund of 
the State. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Each participating State 
shall submit to the Administrator a biennial re-
port regarding the activities of the State under 
this section during the period covered by the re-
port, including— 
‘‘(i) the result of any audit conducted 
by the State under subparagraph (A); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) a review of the effectiveness of the 
State loan fund of the State with respect 
to— 
‘‘(I) the intended use plans of the 
State; and 
‘‘(II) meeting the objectives de-
scribed in subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(4) OVERSIGHT.—In conducting oversight with 
respect to State loan funds established under this sec-
tion, the Administrator— 
‘‘(A) shall— 
‘‘(i) periodically audit the funds in ac-
cordance with procedures established by the 
Comptroller General of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(ii) not less frequently than once 
every 4 years, review each State loan fund 
to determine the effectiveness of the fund in 
reducing flood risk; and 
‘‘(B) may, at any time— 
‘‘(i) make recommendations to a par-
ticipating State with respect to the admin-
istration of the State loan fund of the State; 
or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) require specific changes with re-
spect to a State loan fund in order to im-
prove the effectiveness of the fund. 
‘‘(j) LIABILITY PROTECTIONS.—The Federal Govern-
ment shall not be liable for any claim based upon the exer-
cise or performance of, or the failure to exercise or perform, 
a discretionary function or duty on the part of the Federal 
agency, or an employee of the Federal Government, in car-
rying out the provision of this section. 
‘‘(k) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator shall promul-
gate such guidance or regulations as may be necessary to 
carry out this section, including guidance or regulations 
that— 
‘‘(1) ensure that each participating State 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 implemen-
tation of this section; and 
‘‘(3) require any party that receives funds di-
rectly or indirectly under this section, including a 
participating State and a recipient of amounts from 
a State loan fund, to use procedures with respect to 
the management of the funds that conform to gen-
erally accepted accounting standards. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(l) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There ia 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.’’. 
SEC. 106. USE OF REPLACEMENT COST VALUE IN ESTI-
MATING PREMIUM RATES. 
Section 1307 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(i) USE OF REPLACEMENT COST VALUE.—In deter-
mining affordability for insurance provided under this title, 
the Administrator may consider, where appropriate, the 
impact of the inclusion of the replacement cost or other set-
tlement basis of the structure.’’. 
SEC. 107. 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 POLICIES 
CANCELED BECAUSE
OF REPLACEMENT WITH PRIVATE 
FLOOD INSURANCE.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIRED REFUND.—Subject to subsection 
(c), if at any time an insured under a policy for flood 
insurance coverage for a property that is made avail-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
able under this title cancels such policy because other 
duplicate flood insurance coverage for the same prop-
erty 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 according to the portion of the 
term of the policy that such coverage was in effect, but 
only if a copy of declarations 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 National Flood 
Insurance Program under this title, for the reason 
specified in paragraph (1), shall be effective— 
‘‘(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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
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 COMPLIANCE 
CLAIMS.—No premium amounts paid for coverage 
made available under this title may be refunded pur-
suant 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.’’. 
TITLE II—MAPPING 
SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR NA-
TIONAL FLOOD MAPPING PROGRAM. 
Subsection (f) of section 100216 of the Biggert-Waters 
Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101(b)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘$400,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2013 through 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘$500,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 202. NATIONAL FLOOD MAPPING PROGRAM. 
(a) INCLUSION OF CADASTRAL FEATURES IN RATE 
MAPS.—Section 100216(b)(3) of the Biggert-Waters Flood 
Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101b(b)(3)) is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) cadastral features, including, for each 
cadastral feature— 
‘‘(i) the associated parcel identification 
data for such cadastral feature; and 
‘‘(ii) to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, using public and private sector ad-
dress data, the address of such cadastral 
feature.’’. 
(b) FORMAT OF RATE MAPS.—Section 100216(c)(2) of 
the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 
U.S.C. 4101b(c)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) spatially accurate in accordance with 
the common protocols for geospatial data under 
section 757 of the Geospatial Data Act of 2018 
(43 U.S.C. 2806).’’. 
(c) ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.—Section 100216 of 
the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 
U.S.C. 4101b) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection 
(m); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: 
‘‘(g) STREAM FLOW NETWORKS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall co-
ordinate with the United States Geological Survey for 
the sharing of data from stream flow networks critical 
to the National Flood Insurance Program, flood risk 
mapping, and flood risk assessments, to ensure that— 
‘‘(A) the stream gage stations in such 
stream flow networks are operational and use 
modern hardware; 
‘‘(B) such stream flow networks are suffi-
ciently densified by adding new stream gage sta-
tions in high-risk areas; 
‘‘(C) inactive critical stream gage stations 
in such stream flow networks are reactivated; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) the speed of the geospatial real-time 
data feeds from such stream gage stations is in-
creased. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) STREAM FLOW NETWORK.—The term 
‘stream flow network’ means a network of stream 
flow gages maintained under the direction of the 
United States Geological Survey and its partners 
that is used to measure or record the flow of 
water down a stream or river, or through an en-
tire watershed system, and transmit such infor-
mation using a geospatial real-time data feed. 
‘‘(B) STREAM
GAGE
STATION.—The term 
‘stream gage station’ means a device installed at 
the edge of a river or stream that measures or 
records the flow of water down the stream and 
additional information such as water height, 
water chemistry, and water temperature. 
‘‘(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The purpose of 
this subsection is to require cooperation between the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency and United 
States Geological Survey and nothing in this sub-
section may be construed to require or obligate fund-
ing expenditures. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(h) AVAILABILITY OF DATA TO PUBLIC.—The Admin-
istrator shall make available to the public on the website 
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency a national 
geospatial data repository that— 
‘‘(1) provides access to the raw data used to in-
clude the cadastral features and parcel identification 
data in National Flood Insurance Program rate 
maps; 
‘‘(2) to the extent that such data is available, al-
lows users to view, query, and obtain such data at 
multiple levels of detail, including down to the prop-
erty level; 
‘‘(3) allows users to view flood risks, flood insur-
ance zones, and flood elevations; 
‘‘(4) provides access to flood mapping and re-
lated information such as— 
‘‘(A) hydrologic and hydraulic models used 
in determining flood risk; 
‘‘(B) structure footprints where available as 
part of a national structure inventory; 
‘‘(C) flood depth grids; 
‘‘(D) flood risk reports; 
‘‘(E) flood risk assessments (Hazus anal-
yses); 
‘‘(F) hazard mitigation plans; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(G) other flood risk products at the discre-
tion of the Administrator; and 
‘‘(5) maintains and disseminates such data in a 
consistent manner. 
‘‘(i) ENSURING CURRENT DATA.—Not less frequently 
than once every 5 years, the Administrator shall verify that 
each National Flood Insurance Program rate map contains 
data that is current and credible. 
‘‘(j) 
QUALIFICATIONS-BASED
SELECTION
CON-
TRACTING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a contract 
awarded by the Administrator under this Act, or by 
an entity receiving a grant under this Act, for pro-
gram management, architectural and engineering 
services, or surveying and mapping, such a contract 
shall be awarded to a contractor selected in accord-
ance with the procedures described in section 1103 of 
title 40, United States Code (or an applicable equiva-
lent State qualifications-based statute). The Adminis-
trator, or entity, as the case may be, shall require 
such contractor, as a condition of such contract, to 
award any subcontract for program management, ar-
chitectural and engineering services, or surveying and 
mapping in accordance with the procedures described 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
in the previous sentence, or the applicable equivalent 
State statute. 
‘‘(2) RELATIONSHIP TO STATE LAW.—Nothing in 
this subsection shall supersede any applicable State 
licensing law governing professional licensure. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) ARCHITECTURAL
AND
ENGINEERING 
SERVICES.—The term ‘architectural and engi-
neering services’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 1102 of title 40, United States 
Code. 
‘‘(B) SURVEYING AND MAPPING.—The term 
‘surveying and mapping’ includes geospatial ac-
tivities associated with measuring, locating, and 
preparing maps, charts, or other graphical or 
digital presentations depicting natural and 
man-made physical features, phenomena, and 
legal boundaries of the earth, including the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) Topographic Engineering Sur-
veying, including acquisition of topographic 
oriented surveying and mapping data for 
design, construction, master planning, oper-
ations, as-built conditions, precise structure 
stability studies using conventional and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
electronic 
instrumentation, 
photo-
grammetric, LiDAR, remote sensing, iner-
tial, satellite, and other manned and un-
manned survey methods as applicable. 
‘‘(ii) Hydrographic Engineering Sur-
veying, including acquisition of hydro-
graphic oriented surveying and mapping 
data for design, construction, dredging, 
master planning, operations, and as-built 
conditions using conventional and electronic 
instrumentation, and photogrammetric, re-
mote sensing, inertial, satellite, side scan 
sonar, subbottom profiling, and other sur-
veying methods, as applicable. 
‘‘(iii) Land Surveying, including prop-
erty 
and 
boundary 
surveys, 
monumentation, marking and posting, and 
preparation of tract descriptions, using con-
ventional, electronic instrumentation, photo-
grammetric, inertial, satellite, and other 
survey methods, as applicable. 
‘‘(iv) Geodetic Surveying, including 
first, second, and third order horizontal and 
vertical control surveys, geodetic astronomy, 
gravity and magnetic surveys using conven-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
tional, electronic instrumentation, photo-
grammetric, inertial, satellite, and other 
survey methods, as applicable. 
‘‘(v) Cartographic Surveying, includ-
ing acquisition of topographic and hydro-
graphic oriented surveying and mapping 
data for construction of maps, charts, and 
similar products for planning, flood anal-
ysis, and general use purposes using con-
ventional and electronic instrumentation, 
photogrammetric, inertial, satellite, mobile, 
terrestrial, and other survey methods, as ap-
plicable. 
‘‘(vi) Mapping, charting, and related 
geospatial database development, including 
the design, compilation, digitizing, attrib-
uting, scribing, drafting, printing and dis-
semination of printed or digital map, chart, 
and related geospatial database products as-
sociated with planning, engineering, oper-
ations, and related real estate activities 
using photogrammetric, geographic infor-
mation systems, and other manual and 
computer assisted methods, as applicable. 
‘‘(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) CADASTRAL FEATURE.—The term ‘cadastral 
feature’ means the geographic elements and features— 
‘‘(A) that are independent of elevation, such 
as roads, structure footprints, and rivers and 
lakes; 
‘‘(B) which are represented on maps to show 
the true location and size of the elements in rela-
tionship to each other, as they are seen from the 
air; and 
‘‘(C) that are mapped from LiDAR or aer-
ial photography by employing basic photo-
grammetry. 
‘‘(2) PARCEL IDENTIFICATION DATA.—The term 
‘parcel identification data’ means the information as-
sociated with a parcel of land, including the geo-
graphic location, unique parcel identifier, boundaries, 
structures contained within the parcel, zoning classi-
fication, and owner.’’. 
SEC. 203. FLOOD MAPPING MODERNIZATION AND HOME-
OWNER EMPOWERMENT PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall carry out a pilot pro-
gram to make grants to units of local government to en-
hance the mapping of urban flooding and associated prop-
erty damage and the availability of such mapped data to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
homeowners, businesses, and units of local government to 
enable them to minimize the risk of such flooding. 
(b) OBJECTIVES.—Amounts from grants made under 
the pilot program under this section may be used only to 
carry out activities to meet the following objectives: 
(1) To develop a methodology for assessing urban 
flood risk through the deployment of technology-based 
mapping tools that are easily understandable by the 
public and effectively convey information regarding 
the level of flood risk. 
(2) To provide structure-specific projections of 
annual chance flood frequency. 
(3) To provide structure-based flood-risk assess-
ments. 
(4) To provide urban flood-risk mitigation pro-
gram design. 
(5) To incorporate information regarding cli-
mate trends into urban flooding risk assessments. 
(6) To make the information described in this 
subsection publicly available on the internet through 
a web-based portal so as to increase transparency re-
garding homeowner flood risks, except that the Ad-
ministrator may not disclose such information to the 
public or to a private company in a manner that vio-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
lates section 552a of title 5, United States Code, or 
any regulation implementing that section. 
(c) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Grants under the pilot pro-
gram under this section may be made only to units 
of general local government located in urbanized 
areas, as such term is used by the Bureau of the Cen-
sus of the Department of Commerce, having popu-
lations exceeding 50,000 or to stormwater manage-
ment authorities of such units of general local govern-
ment. 
(2) ONE-TIME GRANTS.—A grant under the pilot 
program under this section may not be made to— 
(A) any unit of general local governmental, 
or stormwater management authority of a unit 
of general government, that has previously re-
ceived a grant under the pilot program; 
(B) any unit of general local government if 
the stormwater management agency for such 
unit has previously received a grant under the 
pilot program; or 
(C) any stormwater management agency of 
a unit of general local government if such unit 
has previously received a grant under the pilot 
program. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(3) TREATMENT OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT 
AUTHORITIES.—In the case of a stormwater manage-
ment authority that operates with respect to more 
than one unit of general local government, the appli-
cation of such authority shall be considered for pur-
poses of paragraph (2) of this subsection and sub-
sections (e), (f), and (g)(1) to be made for the largest 
unit of general local government for which such au-
thority operates. The preceding sentence shall not 
limit the ability of such authority to carry out activi-
ties under the demonstration project in any other ju-
risdictions or unit of local government with respect to 
which the authority operates. 
(d) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible for a grant under 
this section a unit of general local government or 
stormwater management agency shall submit to the Admin-
istrator an application in such form and containing such 
information as the Administrator shall require. 
(e) SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL SELECTION.—Subject to paragraph 
(2) and to the submission of approvable applications, 
in each fiscal year for which amounts are made avail-
able for grants under the pilot program under this 
section the Administrator shall select, from among ap-
plications submitted under subsection (d) for such fis-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
cal year, 3 units of general government or stormwater 
management authorities to receive grants under the 
pilot program under this section. 
(2) AGGREGATE LIMIT.—Subject only to the sub-
mission of approvable applications, the Administrator 
shall select, in the aggregate over the entire duration 
of the pilot program under this section, 12 units of 
general government or stormwater management au-
thorities to receive grants under the pilot program, as 
follows: 
(A) TIER 1.—Three of the applicants se-
lected shall be units of general local government, 
or stormwater management authorities for such 
units, having a population exceeding 800,000, as 
follows: 
(i) PELAGIC COASTAL CITY.—One shall 
be a unit of general local government, or 
stormwater authority for such a unit, that 
is a pelagic unit. 
(ii) NON-PELAGIC COASTAL CITY.—One 
shall be unit of general local government, or 
stormwater authority for such a unit, that 
is a coastal unit, but not a pelagic unit. 
(iii) NON-COASTAL CITY.—One shall be 
unit 
of 
general 
local 
government, 
or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
stormwater authority for such a unit, that 
is not a coastal unit. 
(B) TIER 2.—Six of the applicants selected 
shall be units of general local government, or 
stormwater management authorities for such 
units, having a population exceeding 200,000 
but not exceeding 800,000, as follows: 
(i) COASTAL
CITIES.—Three shall be 
units of general local government, or 
stormwater management authorities for 
such units, that are coastal units. 
(ii) NON-COASTAL CITIES.—Three shall 
be units of general local government, or 
stormwater management authorities for 
such units, that are not coastal units. 
(C) TIER 3.—Three of the applicants se-
lected shall be units of general local government, 
or stormwater management authorities for such 
units, having a population exceeding 50,000 but 
not exceeding 200,000. 
(f) PRIORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall select 
applicants for grants under the pilot program under 
this section based on the extent to which their appli-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
cations will achieve the objectives set forth in sub-
section (b). 
(2) TIERS 2 AND 3.—In selecting applicants to 
receive grants under the pilot program under this sec-
tion pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) of sub-
section (e)(2), the Administrator shall give priority to 
applicants— 
(A) that are highly vulnerable to sea level 
rise; 
(B) within which are located a military in-
stallation or other facility relating to national 
security concerns; or 
(C) that have a population that is highly 
vulnerable to urban flooding and have an uneven 
capacity for flood mitigation and response efforts 
resulting from socioeconomic factors. 
(g) AMOUNT.— 
(1) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—In 
determining 
the 
amount of grant under the pilot program under this 
section, the Administrator shall consider the popu-
lation of the grant recipient, which may be considered 
in terms of the tier under subsection (e)(2) of the re-
cipient. 
(2) FEDERAL SHARE.—The amount of a grant 
under the pilot program under this section may not 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the activities 
under subsection (b) to be carried out using the grant 
amounts. 
(h) DURATION.—The Administrator shall require each 
recipient of a grant under the pilot program under this sec-
tion to complete the activities under subsection (b) to be 
carried out using the grant amounts before the expiration 
of the 18-month period beginning upon the initial receipt 
of grant amounts under the pilot program. 
(i) USE OF CENSUS DATA.—The Administrator shall 
make all determinations under the pilot program regarding 
population using the most recent available data from the 
decennial census. 
(j) GRANTEE REPORTS TO FEMA.—Each recipient of 
a grant under the pilot program under this section shall, 
not later than the expiration of the 30-month period begin-
ning upon the initial receipt of any such grant amounts, 
submit to the Administrator a report that describes— 
(1) the activities carried out with amounts from 
the grant; 
(2) how the activities carried out with such 
grant amounts have met the objectives described in 
subsection (b); and 
(3) any lessons learned in carrying out such ac-
tivities and any recommendations for future mapping 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
modernization efforts by the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency. 
(k) BIENNIAL REPORTS BY FEMA.—Not later than the 
expiration of the 24-month period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and not later than the expira-
tion of each successive 24-month period thereafter until the 
completion of all activities carried out with amounts from 
grants under the pilot program under this section, the Ad-
ministrator shall submit to the Congress and make avail-
able to the public on an internet website a report that— 
(1) describes— 
(A) the progress of the activities carried out 
with amounts from such grants; and 
(B) the effectiveness of technology-based 
mapping tools used in carrying out the activities 
described in subparagraph (A); and 
(2) with respect to the final report that the Ad-
ministrator is required to submit under this sub-
section, includes recommendations to the Congress 
and the executive branch of the Federal Government 
for implementing strategies, practices, and tech-
nologies to mitigate the effects of urban flooding. 
(l) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Con-
gress that, because the pilot program is limited with respect 
to scope and resources, communities that participate in the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
pilot program should acknowledge that the most successful 
efforts to mitigate the effects of urban flooding— 
(1) take a structural-based mitigation approach 
with respect to construction, which includes— 
(A) recognizing any post-storm damage that 
may occur; and 
(B) pursuing designs that proactively mini-
mize future flood damage; 
(2) make individuals in the community aware, 
through any cost-effective and available means of edu-
cation, of the best approaches regarding the construc-
tion of properties that are able to survive floods, 
which reduces the cost of future repairs; and 
(3) encourage home and property owners to con-
sider the measures described in paragraphs (1) and 
(2), which are the most cost-effective and prudent 
ways to reduce the impact of flooding, when con-
structing or renovating building components. 
(m) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the 
following definitions shall apply: 
(1) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(2) COASTAL.—The term ‘‘coastal’’ means, with 
respect to a unit of general local government, that the 
unit borders a body of water that— 
(A) exceeds 2,000 square miles in size; and 
(B) is not a river. 
(3) PELAGIC.—The term ‘‘pelagic’’ means, with 
respect to a unit of general local government, that the 
unit is a coastal unit and the body of water that the 
unit borders is an ocean or other large, open body of 
water (including bays and gulfs) that empties into an 
ocean. 
(4) URBAN FLOODING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘urban flood-
ing’’ means the inundation of property in a 
built environment, particularly in more densely 
populated areas, caused either by falling rain 
collecting on impervious surfaces or increasing 
the levels of nearby water bodies and over-
whelming the capacity of drainage systems, such 
as storm sewers, including— 
(i) situations in which stormwater en-
ters buildings through windows, doors, or 
other openings; 
(ii) water backup through sewer pipes, 
showers, toilets, sinks, and floor drains; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(iii) seepage through walls and floors; 
(iv) the accumulation of water on 
property or public rights-of-way; and 
(v) the overflow from water bodies, 
such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. 
(B) EXCLUSION.—Such term does not in-
clude flooding in undeveloped or agricultural 
areas. 
(n) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
for grants under the pilot program under this section— 
(1) $1,200,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
(2) $4,300,000 for fiscal year 2021, to remain 
available through 2023. 
SEC. 204. MAPPING IMPROVEMENTS AND REACH. 
(a) EXPANDING MAPPING TO ALL AREAS OF THE 
UNITED
STATES.—Subparagraph 
(A) 
of 
section 
100216(b)(1) of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform 
Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101b(b)(1)(A)) is amended— 
(1) in clause (v), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii); 
and 
(3) by inserting after clause (v) the following: 
‘‘(vi) all areas of the United States; 
and’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(b) USE
OF
OTHER
FEDERAL
AGENCIES
AND 
LIDAR.—Section 100216 of the Biggert-Waters Flood In-
surance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101b) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) 
and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respec-
tively; 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
following: 
‘‘(B) as soon as practicable— 
‘‘(i) modernize the flood mapping in-
ventory for communities for which the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Program rate maps 
have not been modernized; and 
‘‘(ii) in coordination with commu-
nities, utilize the digital display environ-
ment established under subsection (f)(1)(A) 
to produce, store, and disseminate any flood 
hazard data, models, and maps generated 
under clause (i) while ensuring that the 
flood mapping inventory described in that 
clause may be printed in order to carry 
out— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(I) floodplain management pro-
grams under the National Flood Insur-
ance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et 
seq.); and 
‘‘(II) other purposes of the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Program;’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (C), as so redesig-
nated, by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(D) in subparagraph (D), as so redesig-
nated, by striking the period at the end and in-
serting ‘‘, and including the most current and 
most appropriate remote sensing or other 
geospatial mapping technology;’’; 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) when appropriate, partner with other 
Federal agencies, States, communities, and pri-
vate entities in order to meet the objectives of the 
program; and 
‘‘(F) when appropriate, consult and coordi-
nate with the Secretary of Defense, the Director 
of the United States Geological Survey, and the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration to obtain the most up- 
to-date maps and other information of those 
agencies, including information relating to to-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
pography, water flow, watershed characteristics, 
and any other issues that are relevant to identi-
fying, reviewing, updating, maintaining, and 
publishing National Flood Insurance Program 
rate maps.’’; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(f) DIGITAL DISPLAY ENVIRONMENT AND BUILDING- 
SPECIFIC FLOOD HAZARD AND RISK INFORMATION.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years 
after the date of enactment of the National Flood 
Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019, 
the Administrator, in consultation with the 
Technical Mapping Advisory Council, shall es-
tablish, as part of a national structure inven-
tory, a dynamic, database-derived digital dis-
play environment for flood hazard and risk data, 
models, maps, and assessments. 
‘‘(B) CONSULTATION
WITH
STATES
AND 
COMMUNITIES.—In designing and constructing 
the digital display environment under subpara-
graph (A), the Administrator shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(i) leverage and partner with States 
and communities that have successfully im-
plemented the same approach; and 
‘‘(ii) consider adopting the techniques 
and technologies used by the States and 
communities described in clause (i) and ap-
plying those techniques and technologies na-
tionwide. 
‘‘(2) DIGITAL DISPLAY SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator, in consultation 
with the Technical Mapping Advisory Council, 
shall establish a national digital display system 
that shall— 
‘‘(i) be prompted through dynamic 
querying of a spatial, relational flood haz-
ard and risk database; 
‘‘(ii) as permissible under law, be 
made available to the public; 
‘‘(iii) to the extent feasible, and where 
sufficient data is available, provide infor-
mation, with respect to individual struc-
tures, regarding— 
‘‘(I) flood hazard and risk assess-
ment determinations; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(II) flood insurance; and 
‘‘(III) flood risk mitigation ef-
forts; 
‘‘(iv) be constructed in a manner that 
facilitates coordination with digital display 
systems that— 
‘‘(I) have been developed by State 
and community partners; and 
‘‘(II) the Administrator finds are 
acceptable; 
‘‘(v) include the capability to print 
physical copies of maps; and 
‘‘(vi) where feasible, allow for the 
maintenance and storage of elevation cer-
tificates. 
‘‘(B) PRIVACY
REQUIREMENTS.—The Ad-
ministrator may not disseminate the database 
described in subparagraph (A)(i), including any 
data used to create that database, to the public 
or to a private company in a manner that vio-
lates section 552a of title 5, United States Code, 
or any regulation implementing that section.’’; 
(3) by inserting after subsection (k), as added by 
the preceding provisions of this Act, the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(l) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Administrator, in coordi-
nation with the Technical Mapping Advisory Council estab-
lished under section 100215 of this Act, shall submit to the 
Committee on Financial Services of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs of the Senate an annual report regarding progress 
achieved in the mapping program under this section, in-
cluding the digital display and structure-specific informa-
tion required under subsection (f), which shall include rec-
ommendations to reduce the cost and improve the imple-
mentation of that subsection.’’. 
(c) FUTURE FLOOD RISK.—Section 100216(d) of the 
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 
U.S.C. 4101b) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) FUTURE FLOOD RISK.—The Administrator 
shall, in consultation with the Technical Mapping 
Council established under section 100215, provide fi-
nancial and technical assistance to communities to 
incorporate future flood hazard conditions as an in-
formational layer on their Flood Insurance Rate 
Maps.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 205. 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 add-
ing at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(k) APPEALS OF EXISTING MAPS.— 
‘‘(1) RIGHT TO APPEAL.—A State or local gov-
ernment, or the owner or lessee of real property, who 
has made a formal request to the Administrator to 
update a flood map that the Administrator has de-
nied may at any time appeal such a denial as pro-
vided in this subsection. 
‘‘(2) BASIS FOR APPEAL.—The basis for appeal 
under this subsection shall be the possession of knowl-
edge or information that— 
‘‘(A) the base flood elevation level or des-
ignation of any aspect of a flood map is scientif-
ically or technically inaccurate; or 
‘‘(B) factors exist that mitigate the risk of 
flooding, including ditches, banks, walls, vegeta-
tion, levees, lakes, dams, reservoirs, basin, reten-
tion ponds, and other natural or manmade topo-
graphical features. 
‘‘(3) APPEALS PROCESS.— 
‘‘(A) ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION.—An 
appeal under this subsection shall be determined 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
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 Scientific 
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 pol-
icyholder’s property being removed from a spe-
cial 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
factors were determined to have reduced, but not 
eliminated, the risk of flooding, the Adminis-
trator shall reduce the amount of flood insurance 
coverage required to be maintained for the prop-
erty concerned by the ratio of the successful por-
tion of the appeal as compared to the entire ap-
peal. The Administrator shall refund to the pol-
icyholder any payments made in excess of the 
amount necessary for such new coverage amount, 
effective from the time when the mitigating fac-
tor was created or the beginning of the second 
policy year preceding the determination 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 com-
munity, or the owner or lessee of real property, as the 
case may be, incurs expense in connection with the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
appeal, including services provided by surveyors, en-
gineers, and scientific experts, the Administrator shall 
reimburse such individual or community for reason-
able 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 Federal Emergency 
Management Agency. No reimbursement 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 Ad-
ministrator may use such amounts from the National 
Flood Insurance Fund established under section 1310 
as may be necessary to carry out this paragraph. 
‘‘(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) DEADLINE.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall issue the guidance re-
ferred to section 1360(k)(6) of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4101(k)(7)), as added by the amend-
ment made by subsection (a) of this section, not later than 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
the expiration of the 6-month period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 206. APPEALS AND PUBLICATION OF PROJECTED SPE-
CIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS. 
(a) APPEALS.—Section 1363 of the National Flood In-
surance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking the second sen-
tence and inserting the following: ‘‘Any owner or les-
see of real property within the community who be-
lieves the owner’s or lessee’s rights to be adversely af-
fected by the Administrator’s proposed determination 
may appeal such determination to the local govern-
ment no later than 90 days after the date of the sec-
ond 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 following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(e) DETERMINATION BY ADMINISTRATOR IN THE AB-
SENCE OF APPEALS.—If the Administrator has not received 
any appeals, upon expiration of the 90-day appeal period 
established under subsection (b) of this section the Adminis-
trator’s proposed determination shall become final. The 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
community shall be given a reasonable time after the Ad-
ministrator’s final determination in which to adopt local 
land use and control measures consistent with the Adminis-
trator’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 Register’’. 
SEC. 207. 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. 208. ADOPTION OF PARTIAL FLOOD MAPS. 
Subsection (f) of section 1360 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4101(f)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new flush matter: 
‘‘Panels of the revised flood insurance rate maps for which 
no appeal has been submitted during the 90-day period re-
ferred to in subsection (b) shall be considered final.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 209. NEW ZONE FOR LEVEE-IMPACTED AREAS. 
Section 1360 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4101), as amended by the preceding provi-
sions of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(l) LEVEE-IMPACTED AREAS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to full implementa-
tion of subparagraphs (A)(iii) and (B) of section 
100216(b)(1) of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance 
Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101b(b)(1)) and not-
withstanding any other provision of law, if a commu-
nity applies to the Administrator for the remapping 
of a levee-impacted area in which the pertinent levee 
system fails to meet the minimum design, operation, 
and maintenance standards of the National Flood In-
surance Program required for levee accreditation on 
a flood insurance rate map in accordance with the 
Levee Analysis Mapping Procedure initiated by the 
Administrator to replace the ‘without levees’ approach 
to a Flood Insurance Study, the Administrator 
shall— 
‘‘(A) establish flood risk zones for those 
levee-impacted areas on such maps, to be known 
as ‘AL-E zones’, that have an established ele-
vation for community floodplain management; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) make flood insurance available to 
properties located within those levee-impacted 
areas. 
‘‘(2) TRANSITION.—During the period beginning 
on the date of enactment of this subsection and ending 
on the date on which the Administrator develops rates 
for the various AL-E zones, a structure located in a 
portion of a community that is located within a levee- 
impacted area described in paragraph (1) shall be eli-
gible for rates associated with areas of moderate flood 
hazards.’’. 
SEC. 210. AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES IN SPECIAL FLOOD 
HAZARD ZONES. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL LAND USE 
CONTROLS.—Subsection (a) of section 1315 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4022(a)) is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) ALLOWABLE LOCAL VARIANCES FOR CER-
TAIN AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES.— 
‘‘(A) REQUIREMENT.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this Act— 
‘‘(i) the land use and control measures 
adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) may 
not, for purposes of such paragraph, be con-
sidered to be inadequate or inconsistent 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
with the comprehensive criteria for land 
management and use under section 1361 be-
cause such measures provide that, in the 
case of any agricultural structure that is lo-
cated in an area having special flood haz-
ards, a variance from compliance with the 
requirements to elevate or floodproof such a 
structure and meeting the requirements of 
subparagraph (B) may be granted; and 
‘‘(ii) the Administrator may not sus-
pend a community from participation in 
the national flood insurance program, or 
place such a community on probation under 
such program, because such land use and 
control measures provide for such a vari-
ance. 
This subparagraph shall not limit the ability of 
the Administrator to take enforcement action 
against a community that does not adopt ade-
quate variance criteria or establish proper en-
forcement mechanisms. 
‘‘(B) VARIANCE; CONSIDERATIONS.—The re-
quirements of this subparagraph with respect to 
a variance are as follows: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(i) The variance is granted by an of-
ficial from a duly constituted State or local 
zoning authority, or other authorized public 
body responsible for regulating land devel-
opment or occupancy in flood-prone areas. 
‘‘(ii) In the case of new construction, 
such official has determined— 
‘‘(I) that neither floodproofing nor 
elevation of the new structure to the 
base flood elevation is practicable; and 
‘‘(II) that the structure is not lo-
cated in— 
‘‘(aa) a designated regulatory 
floodway; 
‘‘(bb) an area riverward of a 
levee or other flood control struc-
ture; or 
‘‘(cc) an area subject to high 
velocity wave action or seaward of 
flood control structures. 
‘‘(iii) In the case of existing struc-
tures— 
‘‘(I) if such structure is substan-
tially damaged or in need of substan-
tial repairs or improvements, such offi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
cial 
has 
determined 
that 
neither 
floodproofing nor elevation to the base 
flood elevation is practicable; and 
‘‘(II) if such structure is located 
within a designated regulatory flood-
way, such official has determined that 
the repair or improvement does not re-
sult in any increase in base flood levels 
during the base flood discharge. 
‘‘(iv) Such official has determined that 
the variance will not result in increased 
flood heights, additional threats to public 
safety, extraordinary public expense, create 
nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization 
of the public, or conflict with existing local 
laws or ordinances. 
‘‘(v) Not more than one claim payment 
exceeding $1,000 has been made for the 
structure under flood insurance coverage 
under this title within any period of 10 
consecutive years at any time prior to the 
granting of the variance. 
‘‘(C) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this 
paragraph, the following definitions shall apply: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00082
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(i) AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURE.—The 
term ‘agricultural structure’ has the mean-
ing given such term in paragraph (2)(D). 
‘‘(ii) 
FLOODPROOFING.—The 
term 
‘floodproofing’ means, with respect to a 
structure, any combination of structural 
and non-structural additions, changes, or 
adjustments to the structure, including at-
tendant utilities and equipment, that reduce 
or eliminate potential flood damage to real 
estate or improved real property, water and 
sanitary facilities, structures, or their con-
tents.’’. 
(b) PREMIUM RATES.—Section 1308 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(n) PREMIUM RATES FOR CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL 
STRUCTURES
WITH
VARIANCES.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this Act, the chargeable premium rate for 
coverage under this title for any structure provided a vari-
ance pursuant to section 1315(a)(3) shall be the same as 
the rate that otherwise would apply to such structure if the 
structure had been dry floodproofed or a comparable actu-
arial rate based upon the risk associated with structures 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
within the applicable AL-E zone established under section 
1360(l).’’. 
SEC. 211. TECHNICAL MAPPING ADVISORY COUNCIL. 
Paragraph (1) of section 100215(b) of the Biggert- 
Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 
4101a(b)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through 
(E) as subparagraphs (B) through (F), respectively; 
(2) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so 
redesignated by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, 
the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(A) the Director of the United States Geo-
logical Survey;’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (F), as so redesignated by 
paragraph (1) of this section— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
striking ‘‘16’’ and inserting ‘‘17’’; 
(B) in clause (xiii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(C) in clause (xiv), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(xv) a member of a recognized profes-
sional real estate brokerage association. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
TITLE III—MITIGATION 
SEC. 301. 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 subpara-
graphs (A) through (D) as clauses (i) through (iv), re-
spectively; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) 
as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively (and 
by adjusting the margins accordingly); 
(3) in subparagraph (C) as so redesignated, by 
striking the period at the end and inserting a semi-
colon; 
(4) by redesignating paragraph (4) as subpara-
graph (E) (and by adjusting the margin accordingly); 
(5) by inserting after subparagraph (C), as so 
redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(D) properties identified by the Adminis-
trator as priorities for mitigation activities be-
fore the occurrence of damage to or loss of prop-
erty which is covered by flood insurance; and’’; 
(6) by inserting before ‘‘The national flood insur-
ance program’’ the following:; 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00085
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(7) by striking ‘‘The Administrator’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(2) PREMIUM.—The Administrator’’; and 
(8) by adding at the end the following new para-
graphs: 
‘‘(3) AMOUNT OF COVERAGE.—Each policy for 
flood insurance coverage made available under this 
title shall provide coverage under this subsection hav-
ing an aggregate liability for any single property of 
$60,000. 
‘‘(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 (as such term is de-
fined in subparagraph (C)); and 
‘‘(iii) costs associated with the pur-
chase, clearing, and stabilization of prop-
erty that is part of an acquisition or reloca-
tion program that complies with subpara-
graph (B). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00086
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(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, ac-
cepted, 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 wetlands 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 Ad-
ministrator approves in writing 
before the commencement of the 
construction of the structure. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(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 acquisi-
tion or relocation project; and 
‘‘(II) no Federal entity may pro-
vide disaster assistance for such prop-
erty. 
‘‘(iii) REQUIREMENT
TO
MAINTAIN 
FLOOD INSURANCE COVERAGE.— 
‘‘(I) 
IN
GENERAL.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, 
any assisted structure (as such term is 
defined in subclause (III)) shall, at all 
times, maintain insurance against 
flood damage, in accordance with Fed-
eral 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
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 prop-
erty of the requirements, that such 
transferee is required to— 
‘‘(AA) obtain flood in-
surance in accordance with 
applicable Federal law with 
respect to such assisted struc-
ture, if such structure is not 
so insured on the date on 
which the structure is trans-
ferred; 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 no-
tification in accordance with item 
(aa) and such assisted structure is 
damaged by a flood disaster, the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
transferor shall pay the Federal 
Government an amount equal to 
the amount of any disaster relief 
provided by the Federal govern-
ment with respect to such assisted 
structure. 
‘‘(III) ASSISTED STRUCTURE DE-
FINED.—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 subpara-
graph (A) that was, as part of such ac-
quisition 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
local building and zoning codes in effect at 
the date of construction of the structure; and 
‘‘(ii) has not previously been altered, 
improved, replaced, or repaired using as-
sistance provided under this subsection. 
‘‘(5) TREATMENT
OF
COVERAGE
LIMITS.—Any 
amount of coverage for a property provided 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) (42 U.S.C. 
4013(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 imple-
ment this subsection by adopting one or more stand-
ard endorsements to the Standard Flood Insurance 
Policy by publication of such standards in the Fed-
eral Register, or by comparable means.’’. 
SEC. 302. MULTIPLE-LOSS PROPERTIES. 
(a) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—Section 1361 of the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4102) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) MULTIPLE-LOSS PROPERTIES.—In making deter-
minations regarding financial assistance under the authori-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00091
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
ties of this Act, the Administrator may consider the extent 
to which a community is working to remedy problems with 
addressing multiple-loss properties.’’. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Subsection (a) of section 1370 of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4121) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (15) 
as paragraphs (11) through (18), respectively; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the 
following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(7) 
MULTIPLE-LOSS
PROPERTY.—The 
term 
‘multiple-loss property’ means any property that is a 
repetitive-loss property, a severe repetitive-loss prop-
erty, or an extreme repetitive-loss property. 
‘‘(8) REPETITIVE-LOSS
PROPERTY.—The term 
‘repetitive-loss property’ means a structure that has 
incurred flood-related damage for which 2 or more 
separate claims payments of any amount in excess of 
the loss-deductible for damage to the covered structure 
have been made under flood insurance coverage under 
this title. 
‘‘(9) SEVERE REPETITIVE-LOSS PROPERTY.—The 
term ‘severe repetitive-loss property’ means a struc-
ture that has incurred flood-related damage for 
which— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00092
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) 4 or more separate claims payments 
have been made under flood insurance coverage 
under this title, with the amount of each such 
claim exceeding $5,000, and with the cumulative 
amount of such claims payments exceeding 
$20,000; or 
‘‘(B) at least 2 separate claims payments 
have been made under flood insurance coverage 
under this title, with the cumulative amount of 
such claims payments exceeding the value of the 
structure. 
‘‘(10) EXTREME REPETITIVE-LOSS PROPERTY.— 
The term ‘extreme repetitive-loss property’ means a 
structure that has incurred flood-related damage for 
which at least 2 separate claims have been made 
under flood insurance coverage under this title, with 
the cumulative amount of such claims payments ex-
ceeding 150 percent of the maximum coverage amount 
available for the structure.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 is amended— 
(1) 
in 
section 
1304(b)(1)(A) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
4011(b)(1)(A)), as amended by section 301 of this Act, 
by striking ‘‘repetitive loss structures’’ and inserting 
‘‘repetitive-loss properties’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00093
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(2) in section 1307 (42 U.S.C. 4014)— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking ‘‘re-
petitive loss property’’ and inserting ‘‘repetitive- 
loss property’’; 
(B) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking 
clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) an extreme repetitive-loss prop-
erty; or 
‘‘(ii) a severe repetitive-loss property.’’; 
(C) by striking subsection (h); and 
(D) by redesignating subsection (i), as 
added by the preceding provisions of this Act, as 
subsection (h); 
(3) in section 1315(a)(2)(A)(i) (42 U.S.C. 
4022(a)(2)(A)(i)), by striking ‘‘repetitive loss struc-
ture’’ and inserting ‘‘repetitive-loss property’’; and 
(4) in section 1366 (42 U.S.C. 4104c)— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘repet-
itive loss structures’’ and inserting ‘‘repetitive- 
loss properties’’; 
(B) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii), by striking 
‘‘repetitive loss structures’’ and inserting ‘‘mul-
tiple-loss properties’’; 
(C) in subsection (d)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00094
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(I) in the paragraph heading, by 
striking ‘‘REPETITIVE
LOSS
STRUC-
TURES’’ and inserting ‘‘REPETITIVE- 
LOSS AND EXTREME REPETITIVE LOSS 
PROPERTIES’’; and 
(II) in the matter preceding sub-
paragraph (A), by striking ‘‘repetitive 
loss structures’’ and inserting ‘‘repet-
itive-loss properties or extreme repet-
itive-loss properties’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2)— 
(I) in the paragraph heading, by 
striking ‘‘REPETITIVE
LOSS
STRUC-
TURES’’ and inserting ‘‘REPETITIVE- 
LOSS PROPERTIES’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘repetitive loss 
structures’’ and inserting ‘‘repetitive- 
loss properties’’; and 
(D) in subsection (h), by striking para-
graphs (2) and (3). 
SEC. 303. PREMIUM RATES FOR CERTAIN MITIGATED PROP-
ERTIES. 
(a) MITIGATION STRATEGIES.—Paragraph (1) of sec-
tion 1361(d) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4102(d)(1)) is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00095
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(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 fol-
lowing new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(C) with respect to buildings in dense 
urban environments, methods that can be de-
ployed on a block or neighborhood scale; and 
‘‘(D) elevation of mechanical or other crit-
ical systems; and’’. 
(b) MITIGATION CREDIT.—Subsection (k) of section 
1308 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4015(k)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘shall take into account’’ and in-
serting the following: ‘‘shall— 
‘‘(1) take into account’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), as so designated by the 
amendment made by paragraph (1) of this subsection, 
by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; 
and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(2) offer a reduction of the risk premium rate 
charged to a policyholder, as determined by the Ad-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00096
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
ministrator, if the policyholder implements any miti-
gation method described in paragraph (1).’’. 
SEC. 304. COVERAGE FOR COOPERATIVES. 
(a) EQUAL TREATMENT WITH CONDOMINIUMS.—Sec-
tion 1306 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4013), as amended by the preceding provisions of 
this Act is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(f) COOPERATIVE BUILDINGS.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, the Administrator shall make flood 
insurance coverage available to any individual with a 
membership interest and occupancy agreement in a cooper-
ative housing project on the same terms as any owner of 
a condominium.’’. 
(b) PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.—Section 1312 of the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘flood insurance to condo-
minium owners’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘flood insurance— 
‘‘(1) to condominium owners’’; and 
(B) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00097
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) to individuals with a membership interest 
and occupancy agreement in a cooperative housing 
project who purchased such flood insurance separate 
and apart from the flood insurance purchased by the 
cooperative association in which such individual is a 
member, based solely, or in any part, on the flood in-
surance coverage of the cooperative association or oth-
ers on the overall property owned by the cooperative 
association.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section and 
section 1306(e), the terms ‘cooperative association’ and ‘co-
operative housing project’ shall have such meaning as the 
Secretary shall provide.’’. 
SEC. 305. VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY-BASED FLOOD INSUR-
ANCE PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Administrator’’) shall carry out a commu-
nity-based flood insurance pilot program to make available, 
for purchase by participating communities, a single, com-
munity-wide flood insurance policy under the National 
Flood Insurance Program that— 
(1) covers all residential and non-residential 
properties within the community; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00098
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
(2) satisfies, for all such properties within the 
community, the mandatory purchase requirements 
under section 102 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act 
of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a). 
(b) PARTICIPATION.—Participation by a community 
in the pilot program under this section shall be at the sole 
discretion of the community. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNITY-WIDE POLI-
CIES.—The Administrator shall ensure that a community- 
wide flood insurance policy made available under the pilot 
program under this section incorporates the following re-
quirements: 
(1) A mapping requirement for properties cov-
ered by the policy. 
(2) A deductible. 
(3) Certification or accreditation of mitigation 
infrastructure when available and appropriate. 
(4) A community audit. 
(5) A method of preventing redundant claims 
payments by the National Flood Insurance Program 
in the case of a claim by an individual property 
owner who is covered by a community-wide flood in-
surance policy and an individual policy obtained 
through the Program. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00099
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
100 
(6) Coverage for damage arising from flooding 
that complies with the standards under the National 
Flood Insurance Program appropriate to the nature 
and type of property covered. 
(d) TIMING.—The Administrator shall establish the 
demonstration program under this section not later than 
the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act and the program shall termi-
nate on September 30, 2022. 
(e) DEFINITION OF COMMUNITY.—For purposes of this 
section, the term ‘‘community’’ means any unit of local gov-
ernment, within the meaning given such term under the 
laws of the applicable State. 
SEC. 306. MITIGATION FUNDING. 
For each of the first 5 fiscal years beginning after fol-
lowing the date of the enactment of this Act, there is author-
ized to be appropriated $200,000,000 to carry out the flood 
mitigation assistance grant program under section 1366 of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4104c). 
SEC. 307. COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) PROVISION OF COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM PRE-
MIUM CREDITS TO MAXIMUM NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES 
PRACTICABLE.—Subsection (b) of section 1315 of the Na-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00100
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
101 
tional Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4022(b)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘may’’ and in-
serting ‘‘shall’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘, and the 
Administrator shall provide credits to the maximum 
number of communities practicable’’ after ‘‘under this 
program’’. 
(b) GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM PRO-
GRAM COORDINATORS.—Section 1315 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4022) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM PRO-
GRAM COORDINATORS.— 
‘‘(1) 
AUTHORITY.—The 
Administrator 
shall 
carry out a program to make grants to consortia of 
States and communities for use only for costs of em-
ploying or otherwise retaining an individual or indi-
viduals to coordinate and carry out responsibilities 
relating to participation in the community rating 
system program under subsection (b) for States and 
communities that are members of such consortia. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish such criteria as the Administrator considers 
appropriate for a consortium of States and commu-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00101
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
102 
nities to be eligible for grants under this subsection, 
which shall include requiring a consortium to provide 
evidence to the Administrator that the consortium has 
sufficient authority and administrative capability to 
use grant amounts in accordance with this subsection 
on behalf of its member jurisdictions. 
‘‘(3) TIMING.—A consortium receiving a grant 
under this section shall establish the position or posi-
tions described in paragraph (1), and employ or oth-
erwise retain an individual or individuals to fill such 
position or positions, not later than the date that all 
such grant amounts are expended. 
‘‘(4) APPLICATIONS.—The Administrator shall 
provide for consortia of States and communities to 
submit applications for grants under this subsection, 
which shall include— 
‘‘(A) the evidence referred to in paragraph 
(2); 
‘‘(B) such assurances as the Administrator 
shall require to ensure compliance with the re-
quirement under paragraph (3); 
‘‘(C) such assurances as the Administrator 
shall require to ensure that the consortia will 
provide funding sufficient to continue the posi-
tion or positions funded with the grant amounts, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00102
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
103 
in the same annual amount as under such grant 
funding, after such grant funds are expended; 
and 
‘‘(D) such other information as the Admin-
istrator may require. 
‘‘(5) SELECTION.—From among eligible con-
sortia of States and communities submitting applica-
tions pursuant to paragraph (3), the Administrator 
shall select consortia to receive grants under this sub-
section in accordance with such competitive criteria 
for such section as the Administrator shall establish. 
‘‘(6) DEFINITION OF COMMUNITY.—For purposes 
of this section, the term ‘community’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 1366(h) (42 U.S.C. 
4104c(h)), except that such term includes counties 
and regional planning authorities that do not have 
zoning and building code jurisdiction. 
‘‘(7) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated for grants 
under this subsection— 
‘‘(A) $7,000,000 for the first fiscal year 
commencing after the expiration of the 4-month 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
this Act; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
104 
‘‘(B) $7,000,000 for each of the four con-
secutive fiscal years thereafter.’’. 
SEC. 308. COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR EFFEC-
TIVE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter I of the National Flood In-
surance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.), as amended 
by the preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1327. COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR EF-
FECTIVE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall establish 
a community assistance program under this section to in-
crease the capacity and capability of States, Indian tribes, 
and communities to effectively manage flood risk and par-
ticipate in the national flood insurance program, including 
the community rating system program under section 
1315(b), by providing financial and technical assistance to 
States, tribes and communities. 
‘‘(b) COMPONENTS.—The community assistance pro-
gram under this program shall include— 
‘‘(1) making community assistance grants under 
subsection (c) to States; 
‘‘(2) conducting periodic assessments, not less 
often than once every 5 years, of the technical assist-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00104
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
105 
ance and training needs of States, Indian tribes, and 
communities; 
‘‘(3) providing technical assistance and training 
to States, Indian tribes, and communities in accord-
ance with the needs identified by such assessments; 
‘‘(4) conducting periodic reviews of State, Indian 
tribe, and community floodplain management stand-
ards by the Administrator to promote continuous im-
provement in building and maintaining effective 
State floodplain management programs (as such term 
is defined in subsection (d)); 
‘‘(5) conducting periodic estimates of the losses 
avoided nationally due to the adoption of qualifying 
floodplain management standards by States, Indian 
tribes and communities; 
‘‘(6) in coordination with each State receiving a 
grant under subsection (c), developing and executing 
a strategy to— 
‘‘(A) provide technical and financial assist-
ance to communities, including small and rural 
communities, and Indian tribes within the State; 
and 
‘‘(B) encourage greater participation in the 
community rating system program; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00105
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
106 
‘‘(7) establishing goals for States participating 
in the program and incentives for exceeding such 
goals. 
‘‘(c) COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS TO STATES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the program under 
this section the Administrator may award grants to 
States, which shall be used only— 
‘‘(A) to increase the capacity and capability 
of the State and communities and Indian tribes 
in the State to effectively manage flood risk and 
to fully participate in the national flood insur-
ance program, including the community rating 
system program; and 
‘‘(B) for activities related to implementa-
tion, administration, oversight, and enforcement 
of the national flood insurance program at the 
State and local and tribal levels. 
‘‘(2) GUIDELINES.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish guidelines governing the use of grant funds 
under this subsection, including setting forth activi-
ties eligible to be funded with such amounts. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under this subsection, a State shall— 
‘‘(A) demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the 
Administrator, that the State has in effect quali-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00106
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
107 
fying State floodplain management standards for 
the State; 
‘‘(B) agree to submit such reports, certifi-
cations, and information to the Administrator as 
the Administrator shall require, including those 
required under paragraph (5); and 
‘‘(C) meet any additional eligibility re-
quirements as the Administrator may require. 
‘‘(4) APPLICATION; SELECTION
CRITERIA.—The 
Administrator shall provide for States to submit ap-
plications for grants under this subsection, which 
shall include such information, assurances, and cer-
tifications as the Administrator may require, and 
may establish criteria for selection of qualifying ap-
plications to be selected for grants under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(5) ONGOING REVIEW OF FLOODPLAIN MANAGE-
MENT
STANDARDS.—Each State that is awarded 
funds under this section shall provide periodic re-
ports, certifications, and information regarding the 
floodplain management standards of such State as the 
Administrator may require for the duration of the use 
of grant amounts. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
108 
‘‘(1) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Na-
tive American Housing Assistance and Self-Deter-
mination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103). 
‘‘(2) QUALIFYING STATE FLOODPLAIN MANAGE-
MENT STANDARDS.—The term ‘qualifying State flood-
plain management standards’ means the floodplain 
management standards of a State that— 
‘‘(A) are specifically authorized under State 
law and do not conflict with or inhibit the im-
plementation of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968; 
‘‘(B) designate an entity responsible for co-
ordinating the national flood insurance program 
in the State; 
‘‘(C) identify State resources and programs 
to manage floodplains and reduce flood risk; 
‘‘(D) address on a long-term basis— 
‘‘(i) integration of floodplain manage-
ment activities with other State functions 
and activities; 
‘‘(ii) identification of flood hazards; 
‘‘(iii) management of natural flood-
plain functions and resources; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00108
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
109 
‘‘(iv) elimination of adverse impacts of 
development on the floodplain; 
‘‘(v) flood mitigation and recovery 
strategies for the State; 
‘‘(vi) strategies for informing commu-
nities and citizens about flood risk and 
mitigation options; and 
‘‘(vii) measures for evaluating the effec-
tiveness of State floodplain management ef-
forts; 
‘‘(E) include a long-term plan that will fa-
cilitate the prioritization and provision of train-
ing and technical assistance to communities and 
Indian tribes in the State to increase local and 
tribal capacity and capability for floodplain 
management, including the capacity and capa-
bility to participate in the national flood insur-
ance program and the community rating system 
program; 
‘‘(F) provide for oversight, administration 
and enforcement of the national flood insurance 
program at the State and community levels; and 
‘‘(G) meet such other requirements as the 
Administrator may establish. 
‘‘(e) FUNDING.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00109
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
110 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2024 for the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Fund for carrying out this 
section. Any amounts appropriated pursuant to this 
subsection shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(2) SET-ASIDES.—From any amounts made 
available for grants under this section, the Adminis-
trator may reserve such amount as the Administrator 
considers appropriate— 
‘‘(A) for community assistance grants under 
subsection (c) to States; and 
‘‘(B) for additional assistance only for 
States exceeding the goals established pursuant to 
subsection (b)(8).’’. 
(b) USE
OF NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE FUND 
AMOUNTS.—Subsection (a) of section 1310 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4017(a)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00110
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
111 
‘‘(9) for carrying out the community assistance 
program for effective floodplain management under 
section 1327.’’. 
TITLE IV—MODERNIZATION 
SEC. 401. EFFECT OF PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE COV-
ERAGE 
ON 
CONTINUOUS 
COVERAGE 
RE-
QUIREMENTS. 
Section 1308 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015), as amended by the preceding provi-
sions 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 adminis-
trative continuous coverage requirement, including under 
section 1307(g)(1), the Administrator shall consider any pe-
riod during which a property was continuously covered by 
a flood insurance policy, either offered through the national 
flood insurance program or private market, that was used 
to satisfy the requirements under section 102(a) of the Flood 
Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(a)) to be 
a period of continuous coverage.’’. 
SEC. 402. OPTIONAL COVERAGE FOR UMBRELLA POLICIES. 
Subsection (b) of section 1306 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4013(b)), is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00111
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
112 
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(6) the Administrator may provide that, in the 
case of any commercial property or other residential 
property, including multifamily rental property and 
agricultural property, one umbrella policy be made 
available to every insured upon renewal and every 
applicant with multiple structures on the same prop-
erty, except that— 
‘‘(A) purchase of such coverage shall be at 
the option of the insured; and 
‘‘(B) any such coverage shall be made avail-
able only at chargeable rates that are not less 
than the estimated premium rates for such cov-
erage determined in accordance with section 
1307(a)(1).’’. 
SEC. 403. ANNUAL INDEPENDENT ACTUARIAL STUDY. 
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 new section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00112
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
113 
‘‘SEC. 1349. ANNUAL INDEPENDENT ACTUARIAL STUDY. 
‘‘The Administrator shall provide for an independent 
actuarial study of the National Flood Insurance Program 
to be conducted annually, which shall analyze the financial 
position of the Program. The Administrator shall submit 
a report annually to the Congress describing the results of 
such study and assessing the financial status of the Pro-
gram. The report shall recommend adjustments to under-
writing standards, program participation, or premiums, if 
necessary, to ensure that the Program remains financially 
sound. The report shall also include an evaluation of the 
quality control procedures and accuracy of information uti-
lized in the process of underwriting National Flood Insur-
ance Program policies. Such evaluation shall include a re-
view of the risk characteristics of policies.’’. 
SEC. 404. SHARING OF AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1313 of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4020) is amended— 
(1) by inserting after the section enumerator the 
following: ‘‘(a) AVAILABILITY TO PUBLIC AND STATE 
AGENCIES.—’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(b) EXCHANGE OF NFIP AND PRIVATE FLOOD INSUR-
ANCE POLICY AND CLAIMS INFORMATION.—The Adminis-
trator may provide to each private insurer that sells cov-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00113
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
114 
erage that meets, at a minimum, the definition of private 
flood insurance under section 102(b) of the Flood Disaster 
Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(b)), current and 
historical property-specific information that is available to 
the Administration on flood insurance program coverage, 
flood damage assessments, and payment of claims, but only 
if the following conditions are met: 
‘‘(1) Each private insurer receiving such data 
shall provide to the Administrator current and histor-
ical property-specific information, generated through 
the sale of the flood insurance that meets such defini-
tion of private flood insurance, by the private insurer 
on flood insurance coverage, flood damage assess-
ments, and payment of claims. 
‘‘(2) Such information obtained under para-
graph shall be made available as required by sub-
sections (c) and (d). 
‘‘(c) HOMEOWNER ACCESS TO NFIP AND PRIVATE 
POLICY AND CLAIMS INFORMATION.—Upon request by the 
current owner of a property, the Administrator shall pro-
vide to the owner any current and historical information 
available to the Administrator, including information ob-
tained under subsection (b)(1), on insurance coverage, dam-
age assessments, and payment of claims concerning such 
property of the owner. In addition, the Administrator shall 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00114
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
115 
provide information the Administrator may have on wheth-
er the property owner may be required to purchase flood 
insurance coverage due to previous receipt of federal dis-
aster assistance, including assistance provided by the Small 
Business Administration, the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, or any other type of assistance subject to the man-
datory purchase requirement under section 102 of the Flood 
Disaster Protection Act of 1973. 
‘‘(d) HOMEBUYER ACCESS TO FLOOD INSURANCE IN-
FORMATION.—Notwithstanding section 552a(b) of title 5, 
United States Code, not later than 14 days after a request 
for such information by a buyer under contract for purchase 
of a property, the Administrator shall provide to the buyer 
the following information: 
‘‘(1) The number and dollar value of claims filed 
for the property, over the life of the property, under 
a flood insurance policy made available under this 
title. 
‘‘(2) Such other available information about the 
property as determined by the Administrator to accu-
rately and adequately characterize the true flood risk 
to the property. 
‘‘(3) A notice to the recipient of the information 
that the information provided may only be utilized by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00115
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
116 
the recipient alone and only for the purposes of 
homebuying.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (d) of section 1313 
of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as added by 
the amendment made by subsection (a)(2) of this section, 
shall take effect beginning upon the expiration of the 12- 
month period that begins on the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 405. ELEVATION CERTIFICATES. 
Chapter I of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.), as amended by the preceding pro-
visions of this Act, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1328. ELEVATION CERTIFICATES. 
‘‘Surveyed elevation data and other information relat-
ing to a building that is recorded on a National Flood In-
surance Program Elevation Certificate by an individual li-
censed to record that information shall continue to be in 
effect, and the Elevation Certificate shall not expire, until 
the date on which there is an alteration in the building.’’. 
SEC. 406. LEVERAGING RISK TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES 
FOR A SOUND FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (e) of section 1345 of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4081(e)) is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00116
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
117 
(1) by striking ‘‘(e) RISK TRANSFER.—The Ad-
ministrator’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(e) LEVERAGING RISK TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES 
FOR A SOUND FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—The Administrator’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) LEVERAGING RISK TRANSFER OPPORTUNI-
TIES.—On an annual basis, the Administrator shall 
evaluate ceding a portion of the risk of the flood in-
surance program under this title to the private rein-
surance or capital markets, or any combination there-
of, if the Administrator determines— 
‘‘(A) the rates and terms are reasonable and 
appropriate; and 
‘‘(B) doing so would further the develop-
ment and maintenance of a sound financial 
framework for the National Flood Insurance Pro-
gram.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall become effective upon the expiration of the 
18-month period that begins upon the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00117
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS
118 
SEC. 407. WRITE-YOUR-OWN ARRANGEMENTS. 
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 subsections: 
‘‘(f) AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE WRITE YOUR OWN 
ARRANGEMENTS.—The Administrator may cancel any 
Write Your Own (as such term is defined in section 
100202(a) of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform 
Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4004)) arrangement in its entirety 
upon 30 days written notice to the Write Your Own com-
pany involved by certified mail stating one of the following 
reasons for such cancellation: 
‘‘(1) Fraud or misrepresentation by the company 
after the inception of the arrangement. 
‘‘(2) Nonpayment to the Administrator of any 
amount due. 
‘‘(3) Material failure to comply with the require-
ments of the arrangement or with the written stand-
ards, procedures, or guidance issued by the Adminis-
trator relating to the National Flood Insurance Pro-
gram and applicable to the company. 
‘‘(g) STANDARDIZED FEE AUTHORITY.—The Adminis-
trator may establish and implement a standardized fee 
schedule for all engineering services provided in connection 
with flood insurance coverage provided under this title by 
means of a Write Your Own arrangement.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:03 Oct 29, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00118
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3167.RH
H3167
SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS