SEC. 
9. 
IMPROVED 
DISCLOSURE 
REQUIREMENT 
FOR 
STANDARD FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 100234 of the Biggert- 
Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 
4013a) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsections: 
‘‘(c) DISCLOSURE OF COVERAGE.— 
‘‘(1) DISCLOSURE SHEET.—Each policy under 
the National Flood Insurance Program shall include 
a standard disclosure sheet that is produced by the 
Administrator that sets forth, in plain language— 
‘‘(A) the definition of the term ‘flood’ for 
purposes of coverage under the policy; 
‘‘(B) a description of what type of flood 
forces are necessary so that losses from an 
event are covered under the policy, including 
overflow of inland or tidal waves, unusual and 
rapid accumulation or runoff of a surface any 
source, and mudflow; 
‘‘(C) a statement acknowledging that a 
standard flood insurance policy does not cover 
basement improvements, such as finished walls, 
floors, and ceilings, or personal property kept in 
a basement; 
‘‘(D) a statement acknowledging a stand-
ard flood insurance policy does not include cov-
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erage for personal property, but such coverage 
may be purchased, for some personal property 
contained in a basement, as well as personal be-
longings contained elsewhere in the dwelling; 
‘‘(E) a statement of the other types and 
characteristics of losses that are not covered 
under the policy; 
‘‘(F) a statement that the disclosure sheet 
provides general information about the policy-
holder’s standard flood insurance policy; 
‘‘(G) a statement that the standard flood 
insurance policy, together with the endorse-
ments and declarations page, make up the offi-
cial contract and are controlling in the event 
that there is any difference between the infor-
mation on the disclosure sheet and the informa-
tion in the policy; 
‘‘(H) a statement that, if the policyholder 
has any questions regarding information in the 
disclosure sheet or policy, the policyholder 
should contact the entity selling the policy on 
behalf of the Program, together with contact in-
formation sufficient to allow the policyholder to 
contact such entity; and 
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‘‘(I) any other information that the Admin-
istrator determines will be helpful to policy-
holder in understanding flood insurance cov-
erage. 
‘‘(2) ACKNOWLEDGMENT SHEET.—Each policy 
application under the National Flood Insurance Pro-
gram shall include an acknowledgment sheet on 
which the policyholder shall affirmatively— 
‘‘(A) acknowledge that the policyholder re-
ceived the disclosure sheet required under para-
graph (1); 
‘‘(B) accept or decline coverage for per-
sonal property; 
‘‘(C) accept or decline other optional cov-
erage that may be available; 
‘‘(D) acknowledge the policyholder’s under-
standing that the standard flood insurance pol-
icy, together with the endorsements and dec-
larations page, make up the official contract 
and are controlling in the event that there is 
any difference between the information on the 
acknowledgment sheet and the information in 
the policy; and 
‘‘(E) acknowledge that the policyholder has 
been provided and has reviewed a summary, 
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which may be the policy declarations page, of 
the total cost, amount and extent of insurance 
coverage provided under the policy. 
‘‘(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This section shall 
not be construed to void or alter the coverage terms of 
the underlying standard flood insurance policy and the 
corresponding endorsements. In the event that the cus-
tomer does not affirmatively acknowledge the require-
ments under subsection (c)(2), a Write Your Own com-
pany may still issue the policy on behalf of the National 
Flood Insurance Program under such terms.’’. 
(b) REPEALS.—Sections 202 and 203 of the Bun-
ning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act 
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 4011 note) are hereby repealed. 
SEC. 10. RESERVE FUND AMOUNTS. 
Section 1310 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4017) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) CREDITING OF RESERVE FUND AMOUNTS.— 
Funds collected pursuant to section 1310A may be cred-
ited to the Fund under this section to be available for the 
purpose described in subsection (d)(1).’’. 
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SEC. 11. SUFFICIENT STAFFING FOR OFFICE OF FLOOD IN-
SURANCE ADVOCATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 24 of the Homeowner 
Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (42 U.S.C. 
4033) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(c) STAFF.—The Administrator shall ensure that 
the Flood Insurance Advocate has sufficient staff to carry 
out all of the duties and responsibilities of the Advocate 
under this section.’’. 
(b) TIMING.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall take such actions 
as may be necessary to provide for full compliance with 
section 24(c) of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Afford-
ability Act of 2014, as added by the amendment made by 
subsection (a) of this section, not later than the expiration 
of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 12. FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE. 
Section 1318 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4025) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 1318. FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an advi-
sory committee to be known as the Federal Flood Insur-
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ance Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as 
the ‘Committee’). 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) MEMBERS.—The Committee shall consist 
of— 
‘‘(A) the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (in this section 
referred to as the ‘Administrator’), or the des-
ignee thereof; and 
‘‘(B) additional members appointed by the 
Administrator or the designee of the Adminis-
trator, who shall include— 
‘‘(i) three representatives of Write 
Your Own companies; 
‘‘(ii) one individual who served in the 
past, or is currently serving, as an insur-
ance regulator of a State, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Is-
lands, American Samoa, or any federally- 
recognized Indian tribe; 
‘‘(iii) one representative of the finan-
cial or insurance sectors who is involved in 
risk transfers, including reinsurance, resil-
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ience bonds, and other insurance-linked se-
curities; 
‘‘(iv) one actuary with demonstrated 
high-level knowledge of catastrophic risk 
insurance; 
‘‘(v) two insurance agents or brokers 
with demonstrated experience with the sale 
of flood insurance under the National 
Flood Insurance Program, one of whom 
shall have demonstrated expertise in the 
challenges in insuring low-income commu-
nities; 
‘‘(vi) one insurance claims specialist; 
‘‘(vii) one representative of a recog-
nized consumer advocacy organization; and 
‘‘(viii) one representative from an aca-
demic institution who has demonstrated 
expertise in insurance. 
‘‘(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—In appointing members 
under paragraph (1)(C), the Administrator shall, to 
the maximum extent practicable, ensure the mem-
bership of the Committee has a balance of members 
reflecting geographic diversity, including representa-
tion from areas inland or with coastline identified by 
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the Administrator as at high risk for flooding or as 
areas having special flood hazards. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES.—The Administrator shall submit, and 
the Committee shall review and make recommendations 
on, matters related to the insurance aspects of the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Program, including ratemaking, 
technology to administer insurance, risk assessment, actu-
arial practices, claims practices, sales and insurance deliv-
ery, compensation and allowances, the public-private part-
nership under the Write Your Own arrangement, general 
best insurance practices, and any significant changes pro-
posed to be made regarding the operation of the National 
Flood Insurance Program. 
‘‘(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The members of the Com-
mittee shall elect one member to serve as the chairperson 
of the Committee (in this section referred to as the ‘Chair-
person’). 
‘‘(e) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Committee 
shall receive no additional compensation by reason of their 
service on the Committee. Members may be reimbursed 
by the Federal Government for travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates consistent with 
rates authorized for employees of Federal agencies under 
subchapter 1 of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, 
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while away from home or regular places of business in per-
formance of service for the Committee. 
‘‘(f) MEETINGS AND ACTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall meet 
not less frequently than twice each year at the re-
quest of the Chairperson or a majority of its mem-
bers, and may take action by a vote of the majority 
of the members in accordance with the Committee’s 
charter. 
‘‘(2) INITIAL MEETING.—The Administrator, or 
a person designated by the Administrator, shall re-
quest and coordinate the initial meeting of the Com-
mittee. 
‘‘(g) TRANSPARENCY; FACA.—To the greatest ex-
tent possible, the Committee shall operate in a transparent 
manner that adheres to the requirements of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act, with the exception that the Com-
mittee shall be permitted to freely communicate both dur-
ing and between meetings under paragraph (f) in a con-
fidential manner to discuss non-public information regard-
ing the operations of the National Flood Insurance Pro-
gram and other sensitive and non-public issues. If such 
communication occurs, the Committee shall, to the great-
est extent possible, report a summary of such discussions 
in an appropriate public manner. 
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‘‘(h) STAFF OF FEMA.—Upon the request of the 
Chairperson, the Administrator may detail, on a non- 
reimbursable basis, personnel of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency to assist the Committee in carrying 
out its duties. 
‘‘(i) POWERS.—In carrying out this section, the Com-
mittee may hold hearings, receive evidence and assistance, 
provide information, and conduct research, as it considers 
appropriate. 
‘‘(j) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Administrator, 
on an annual basis, shall report to the Committee on Fi-
nancial Services of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 
the Senate, and the Office of Management and Budget 
on— 
‘‘(1) the recommendations made by the Com-
mittee; 
‘‘(2) actions taken by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency to address such recommenda-
tions to improve the insurance aspects of the na-
tional flood insurance program; and 
‘‘(3) any recommendations made by the Com-
mittee that have been deferred or not acted upon, 
together with an explanatory statement. 
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‘‘(k) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This section shall 
not be construed to eliminate or alter any requirement on 
the Administrator associated with the notification or con-
sultation of specified individuals or groups of individuals 
as required elsewhere by statute.’’. 
SEC. 13. INTERAGENCY GUIDANCE ON COMPLIANCE. 
The Federal entities for lending regulation (as such 
term is defined in section 3(a) of the Flood Disaster Pro-
tection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4003(a))), in consultation 
with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency, shall update and reissue the document 
entitled ‘‘Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding 
Flood Insurance’’ not later than the expiration of the 12- 
month period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
this Act and not less frequently than biennially thereafter. 
SEC. 14. GAO STUDY OF CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT PRACTICES. 
The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of the policies and practices for adjust-
ment of claims for losses under flood insurance coverage 
made available under the National Flood Insurance Act, 
which shall include— 
(1) a comparison of such policies and practices 
with the policies and practices for adjustment of 
claims for losses under other insurance coverage; 
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(2) an assessment of the quality of the adjust-
ments conducted and the effects of such policies and 
practices on such quality; 
(3) identification of any incentives under such 
policies and practices that affect the speed with 
which such adjustments are conducted; and 
(4) identification of the affects of such policies 
and practices on insureds submitting such claims for 
losses. 
Not later than the expiration of the 18-month period be-
ginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs of the Senate regarding the findings and conclu-
sions of the study conducted pursuant to this section. 
SEC. 15. GAO STUDY OF FLOOD INSURANCE COVERAGE 
TREATMENT OF EARTH MOVEMENT. 
The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of the treatment, under flood insurance 
coverage made available under the National Flood Insur-
ance Act, of earth movement and subsidence, including 
earth movement and subsidence caused by flooding, which 
shall include— 
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(1) identification and analysis of the effects of 
such treatment on the National Flood Insurance 
Program and insureds under the program; 
(2) an assessment of the availability and afford-
ability of coverage in the private insurance market 
for earth movement and subsidence caused by flood-
ing; 
(3) an assessment of the effects on the National 
Flood Insurance Program of covering earth move-
ment and subsidence caused by flooding; and 
(4) a projection of the increased premiums that 
would be required to make coverage for earth move-
ment losses actuarially sound and not fiscally detri-
mental to the continuation of the National Flood In-
surance Program. 
Not later than the expiration of the 18-month period be-
ginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs of the Senate regarding the findings and conclu-
sions of the study conducted pursuant to this section. 
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SEC. 16. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE ACT OF 1968.— 
Subsection (a) of section 1370 of the National Flood In-
surance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4121(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (14), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (15), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(16) the term ‘Write Your Own Program’ 
means the program under which the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency enters into a standard 
arrangement with private property insurance compa-
nies to sell contracts for flood insurance coverage 
under this title under their own business lines of in-
surance, and to adjust and pay claims arising under 
such contracts; and 
‘‘(17) the term ‘Write Your Own company’ 
means a private property insurance company that 
participates in the Write Your Own Program.’’. 
(b) BIGGERT-WATERS FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM 
ACT OF 2012.—Subsection (a) of section 100202 of the 
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 
U.S.C. 4004(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (5) and 
inserting the following new paragraph: 
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‘‘(5) WRITE
YOUR
OWN.—The terms ‘Write 
Your Own Program’ and ‘Write Your Own company’ 
have the meanings given such terms in section 
1370(a) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4121(a)).’’. 
Æ 
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