H. R. 3370—8 
‘‘(6) the effects that the establishment of catastrophe 
savings accounts would have regarding long-term affordability 
of flood insurance coverage; and 
‘‘(7) options for modifying the surcharge under 1308A, 
including based on homeowner income, property value or risk 
of loss.’’. 
(b) TIMING
OF SUBMISSION.—Notwithstanding the deadline 
under section 100236(c) of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance 
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–141; 126 Stat. 957), not later 
than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall submit to the full Committee on Banking, Housing, 
and Urban Affairs and the full Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate and the full Committee on Financial Services and the 
full Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
the affordability study and report required under such section 
100236. 
(c) AFFORDABILITY STUDY FUNDING.—Section 100236(d) of the 
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 
112–141; 126 Stat. 957) is amended by striking ‘‘$750,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$2,500,000’’. 
SEC. 17. FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP CERTIFICATION. 
The Administrator shall implement a flood mapping program 
for the National Flood Insurance Program, only after review by 
the Technical Mapping Advisory Council, that, when applied, results 
in technically credible flood hazard data in all areas where Flood 
Insurance Rate Maps are prepared or updated, shall certify in 
writing to the Congress when such a program has been imple-
mented, and shall provide to the Congress the Technical Mapping 
Advisory Council review report. 
SEC. 18. FUNDS TO REIMBURSE HOMEOWNERS FOR SUCCESSFUL MAP 
APPEALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1363(f) of the National Flood Insur-
ance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104(f)) is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ‘‘as the case 
may be,’’ the following: ‘‘or, in the case of an appeal that 
is resolved by submission of conflicting data to the Scientific 
Resolution Panel provided for in section 1363A, the commu-
nity,’’; and 
(2) by striking the second sentence and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘The Administrator may use such amounts from the 
National Flood Insurance Fund established under section 1310 
as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
1310(a) 
of 
the 
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4017(a)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) for carrying out section 1363(f).’’. 
SEC. 19. FLOOD PROTECTION SYSTEMS. 
(a) ADEQUATE PROGRESS ON CONSTRUCTION OF FLOOD PROTEC-
TION SYSTEMS.—Section 1307(e) of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(e)) is amended—
H. R. 3370—9 
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting ‘‘or reconstruction’’ 
after ‘‘construction’’; 
(2) by amending the second sentence to read as follows: 
‘‘The Administrator shall find that adequate progress on the 
construction or reconstruction of a flood protection system, 
based on the present value of the completed flood protection 
system, has been made only if: (1) 100 percent of the cost 
of the system has been authorized; (2) at least 60 percent 
of the cost of the system has been appropriated; (3) at least 
50 percent of the cost of the system has been expended; and 
(4) the system is at least 50 percent completed.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, in determining whether a commu-
nity has made adequate progress on the construction, 
reconstruction, or improvement of a flood protection system, 
the Administrator shall consider all sources of funding, 
including Federal, State, and local funds.’’. 
(b) COMMUNITIES RESTORING DISACCREDITED FLOOD PROTEC-
TION SYSTEMS.—Section 1307(f) of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(f)) is amended by amending the first 
sentence to read as follows: ‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, this subsection shall apply to riverine and coastal levees 
that are located in a community which has been determined by 
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
to be in the process of restoring flood protection afforded by a 
flood protection system that had been previously accredited on 
a Flood Insurance Rate Map as providing 100-year frequency flood 
protection but no longer does so, and shall apply without regard 
to the level of Federal funding of or participation in the construction, 
reconstruction, or improvement of the flood protection system.’’. 
SEC. 20. QUARTERLY REPORTS REGARDING RESERVE FUND RATIO. 
Subsection (e) of section 1310A of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4017a) is amended, in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, on a calendar quarterly basis,’’ after 
‘‘submit’’. 
SEC. 21. TREATMENT OF FLOODPROOFED RESIDENTIAL BASEMENTS. 
The Administrator shall continue to extend exceptions and 
variances for flood-proofed basements consistent with section 60.6 
of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, which are effective April 
3, 2009; and section 60.3 of such title, which are effective April 
3, 2009. 
SEC. 22. EXEMPTION FROM FEES FOR CERTAIN MAP CHANGE 
REQUESTS. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a requester shall 
be exempt from submitting a review or processing fee for a request 
for a flood insurance rate map change based on a habitat restoration 
project that is funded in whole or in part with Federal or State 
funds, including dam removal, culvert redesign or installation, or 
the installation of fish passage. 
SEC. 23. STUDY OF VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY-BASED FLOOD INSUR-
ANCE OPTIONS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Administrator shall conduct a 
study to assess options, methods, and strategies for making
H. R. 3370—10 
available voluntary community-based flood insurance policies 
through the National Flood Insurance Program. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—The study conducted under para-
graph (1) shall— 
(A) take into consideration and analyze how voluntary 
community-based flood insurance policies— 
(i) would affect communities having varying eco-
nomic 
bases, 
geographic 
locations, 
flood 
hazard 
characteristics or classifications, and flood manage-
ment approaches; and 
(ii) could satisfy the applicable requirements under 
section 102 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 
1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a); and 
(B) evaluate the advisability of making available vol-
untary community-based flood insurance policies to commu-
nities, subdivisions of communities, and areas of residual 
risk. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study required 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator may consult with the 
Comptroller General of the United States, as the Administrator 
determines is appropriate. 
(b) REPORT BY THE ADMINISTRATOR.— 
(1) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services 
of the House of Representatives a report that contains the 
results and conclusions of the study conducted under subsection 
(a). 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include recommendations for— 
(A) the best manner to incorporate voluntary commu-
nity-based flood insurance policies into the National Flood 
Insurance Program; and 
(B) a strategy to implement voluntary community- 
based flood insurance policies that would encourage 
communities to undertake flood mitigation activities, 
including the construction, reconstruction, or improvement 
of levees, dams, or other flood control structures. 
(c) REPORT
BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL.—Not later than 6 
months after the date on which the Administrator submits the 
report required under subsection (b), the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall— 
(1) review the report submitted by the Administrator; and 
(2) submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial 
Services of the House of Representatives a report that con-
tains— 
(A) an analysis of the report submitted by the Adminis-
trator; 
(B) any comments or recommendations of the Comp-
troller General relating to the report submitted by the 
Administrator; and 
(C) any other recommendations of the Comptroller Gen-
eral relating to community-based flood insurance policies.
H. R. 3370—11 
SEC. 24. DESIGNATION OF FLOOD INSURANCE ADVOCATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall designate a Flood 
Insurance Advocate to advocate for the fair treatment of policy 
holders under the National Flood Insurance Program and property 
owners in the mapping of flood hazards, the identification of risks 
from flood, and the implementation of measures to minimize the 
risk of flood. 
(b) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.—The duties and responsibil-
ities of the Flood Insurance Advocate designated under subsection 
(a) shall be to— 
(1) educate property owners and policyholders under the 
National Flood Insurance Program on— 
(A) individual flood risks; 
(B) flood mitigation; 
(C) measures to reduce flood insurance rates through 
effective mitigation; 
(D) the flood insurance rate map review and amend-
ment process; and 
(E) any changes in the flood insurance program as 
a result of any newly enacted laws (including this Act); 
(2) assist policy holders under the National Flood Insurance 
Program and property owners to understand the procedural 
requirements related to appealing preliminary flood insurance 
rate maps and implementing measures to mitigate evolving 
flood risks; 
(3) assist in the development of regional capacity to respond 
to individual constituent concerns about flood insurance rate 
map amendments and revisions; 
(4) coordinate outreach and education with local officials 
and community leaders in areas impacted by proposed flood 
insurance rate map amendments and revisions; and 
(5) aid potential policy holders under the National Flood 
Insurance Program in obtaining and verifying accurate and 
reliable flood insurance rate information when purchasing or 
renewing a flood insurance policy. 
SEC. 25. EXCEPTIONS TO ESCROW REQUIREMENT FOR FLOOD INSUR-
ANCE PAYMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 102(d)(1) of the Flood Disaster Protec-
tion Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(d)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), in the second sentence, by striking 
‘‘subparagraph (C)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraph (B)’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in clause (ii), by redesignating subclauses (I) and 
(II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively, and adjusting the 
margins accordingly; 
(B) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses 
(I) and (II), respectively, and adjusting the margins accord-
ingly; 
(C) in the matter preceding subclause (I), as redesig-
nated by subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘(A) or (B), if— 
’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘(A)— 
‘‘(i) if—’’; 
(D) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘; or’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a loan that—
H. R. 3370—12 
‘‘(I) is in a junior or subordinate position to 
a senior lien secured by the same residential 
improved real estate or mobile home for which 
flood insurance is being provided at the time of 
the origination of the loan; 
‘‘(II) is secured by residential improved real 
estate or a mobile home that is part of a condo-
minium, cooperative, or other project development, 
if the residential improved real estate or mobile 
home is covered by a flood insurance policy that— 
‘‘(aa) meets the requirements that the 
regulated lending institution is required to 
enforce under subsection (b)(1); 
‘‘(bb) is provided by the condominium 
association, cooperative, homeowners associa-
tion, or other applicable group; and 
‘‘(cc) the premium for which is paid by 
the condominium association, cooperative, 
homeowners association, or other applicable 
group as a common expense; 
‘‘(III) is secured by residential improved real 
estate or a mobile home that is used as collateral 
for a business purpose; 
‘‘(IV) is a home equity line of credit; 
‘‘(V) is a nonperforming loan; or 
‘‘(VI) has a term of not longer than 12 
months.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.— 
(A) REQUIRED APPLICATION.—The amendments to sec-
tion 102(d)(1) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 
(42 U.S.C. 4012a(d)(1)) made by section 100209(a) of the 
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Public 
Law 112–141; 126 Stat. 920) and by subsection (a) of this 
section shall apply to any loan that is originated, 
refinanced, increased, extended, or renewed on or after 
January 1, 2016. 
(B) OPTIONAL APPLICATION.— 
(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this subparagraph— 
(I) the terms ‘‘Federal entity for lending regu-
lation’’, ‘‘improved real estate’’, ‘‘regulated lending 
institution’’, and ‘‘servicer’’ have the meanings 
given the terms in section 3 of the Flood Disaster 
Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4003); 
(II) the term ‘‘outstanding loan’’ means a loan 
that— 
(aa) is outstanding as of January 1, 2016; 
(bb) is not subject to the requirement to 
escrow premiums and fees for flood insurance 
under section 102(d)(1) of the Flood Disaster 
Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(d)(1)) 
as in effect on July 5, 2012; and 
(cc) would, if the loan had been originated, 
refinanced, increased, extended, or renewed 
on or after January 1, 2016, be subject to 
the requirements under section 102(d)(1)(A)
H. R. 3370—13 
of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 
as amended; and 
(III) the term ‘‘section 102(d)(1)(A) of the Flood 
Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended’’ 
means section 102(d)(1)(A) of the Flood Disaster 
Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(d)(1)(A)), 
as amended by— 
(aa) section 100209(a) of the Biggert- 
Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 
(Public Law 112–141; 126 Stat. 920); and 
(bb) subsection (a) of this section. 
(ii) OPTION
TO
ESCROW
FLOOD
INSURANCE
PAY-
MENTS.—Each Federal entity for lending regulation 
(after consultation and coordination with the Federal 
Financial Institutions Examination Council) shall, by 
regulation, direct that each regulated lending institu-
tion or servicer of an outstanding loan shall offer and 
make available to a borrower the option to have the 
borrower’s payment of premiums and fees for flood 
insurance under the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), including the escrow 
of such payments, be treated in the same manner 
provided under section 102(d)(1)(A) of the Flood Dis-
aster Protection Act of 1973, as amended. 
(2) REPEAL OF 2-YEAR DELAY ON APPLICABILITY.—Subsection 
(b) of section 100209 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance 
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–141; 126 Stat. 920) is 
repealed. 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section or 
the amendments made by this section shall be construed to 
supersede, during the period beginning on July 6, 2012 and 
ending on December 31, 2015, the requirements under section 
102(d)(1) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 
4012a(d)(1)), as in effect on July 5, 2012. 
SEC. 26. FLOOD MITIGATION METHODS FOR BUILDINGS. 
(a) GUIDELINES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1361 of the National Flood Insur-
ance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4102) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) 
FLOOD
MITIGATION
METHODS
FOR
BUILDINGS.—The 
Administrator shall establish guidelines for property owners that— 
‘‘(1) provide alternative methods of mitigation, other than 
building elevation, to reduce flood risk to residential buildings 
that cannot be elevated due to their structural characteristics, 
including— 
‘‘(A) types of building materials; and 
‘‘(B) types of floodproofing; and 
‘‘(2) inform property owners about how the implementation 
of mitigation methods described in paragraph (1) may affect 
risk premium rates for flood insurance coverage under the 
National Flood Insurance Program.’’. 
(2) ISSUANCE.—The Administrator shall issue the guide-
lines required under section 1361(d) of the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4102(d)), as added by the 
amendment made by paragraph (1) of this subsection, not later
H. R. 3370—14 
than the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) CALCULATION OF RISK PREMIUM RATES.—Section 1308 of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015), as 
amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(k) CONSIDERATION OF MITIGATION METHODS.—In calculating 
the risk premium rate charged for flood insurance for a property 
under this section, the Administrator shall take into account the 
implementation of any mitigation method identified by the Adminis-
trator in the guidance issued under section 1361(d) (42 U.S.C. 
4102(d)).’’. 
SEC. 27. MAPPING OF NON-STRUCTURAL FLOOD MITIGATION FEA-
TURES. 
Section 100216 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform 
Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(A)— 
(A) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) by redesignating clause (v) as clause (vi); 
(C) by inserting after clause (iv) the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(v) areas that are protected by non-structural 
flood mitigation features; and’’; and 
(D) in clause (vi) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
before the semicolon at the end the following: ‘‘and by 
non-structural flood mitigation features’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)(1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
as subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively; 
(B) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘subparagraph (A)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraph 
(B)’’; and 
(C) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so redesig-
nated) the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(A) work with States, local communities, and property 
owners to identify areas and features described in sub-
section (b)(1)(A)(v);’’. 
SEC. 28. CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS. 
Section 1308 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4015), as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(l) CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS.—The Administrator shall clearly 
communicate full flood risk determinations to individual property 
owners regardless of whether their premium rates are full actuarial 
rates.’’. 
SEC. 29. PROTECTION OF SMALL BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS, HOUSES 
OF WORSHIP, AND RESIDENCES. 
Section 1308 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. 4015), as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(m) PROTECTION OF SMALL BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS, HOUSES 
OF WORSHIP, AND RESIDENCES.—
H. R. 3370—15 
‘‘(1) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this section and semiannually thereafter, 
the Administrator shall monitor and report to Committee on 
Financial Services of the House Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, 
the Administrator’s assessment of the impact, if any, of the 
rate increases required under subparagraphs (A) and (D) of 
section 1307(a)(2) and the surcharges required under section 
1308A on the affordability of flood insurance for— 
‘‘(A) small businesses with less than 100 employees; 
‘‘(B) non-profit entities; 
‘‘(C) houses of worship; and 
‘‘(D) residences with a value equal to or less than 
25 percent of the median home value of properties in the 
State in which the property is located. 
‘‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—If the Administrator determines 
that the rate increases or surcharges described in paragraph 
(1) are having a detrimental effect on affordability, including 
resulting in lapsed policies, late payments, or other criteria 
related to affordability as identified by the Administrator, for 
any of the properties identified in subparagraphs (A) through 
(D) of such paragraph, the Administrator shall, not later than 
3 months after making such a determination, make such rec-
ommendations as the Administrator considers appropriate to 
improve affordability to the Committee on Financial Services 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, 
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.’’. 
SEC. 30. MAPPING. 
Section 100216(d)(1) of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance 
Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101b(d)(1)), as amended by section 
27 of this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘subparagraph (B)’’ and inserting 
‘‘subparagraph (E)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) 
as subparagraphs (D), (E), (F), and (H), respectively; 
(3) by inserting before subparagraph (D), as so redesig-
nated, the following new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(A) before commencement of any mapping or map 
updating process, notify each community affected of the 
model or models that the Administrator plans to use in 
such process and provide an explanation of why such model 
or models are appropriate; 
‘‘(B) provide each community affected a 30-day period 
beginning upon notification under subparagraph (A) to con-
sult with the Administrator regarding the appropriateness, 
with respect to such community, of the mapping model 
or models to be used; provided that consultation by a 
community pursuant to this subparagraph shall not waive 
or otherwise affect any right of the community to appeal 
any flood hazard determinations; 
‘‘(C) upon completion of the first Independent Data 
Submission, transmit a copy of such Submission to the 
affected community, provide the affected community a 30- 
day period during which the community may provide data
H. R. 3370—16 
to Administrator that can be used to supplement or modify 
the existing data, and incorporate any data that is con-
sistent with prevailing engineering principles;’’; and 
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (F), as so redesignated, 
the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(G) not less than 30 days before issuance of any 
preliminary map, notify the Senators for each State affected 
and each Member of the House of Representatives for each 
congressional district affected by the preliminary map in 
writing of— 
‘‘(i) the estimated schedule for— 
‘‘(I) 
community 
meetings 
regarding 
the 
preliminary map; 
‘‘(II) publication of notices regarding the 
preliminary map in local newspapers; and 
‘‘(III) the commencement of the appeals 
process regarding the map; and 
‘‘(ii) the estimated number of homes and businesses 
that will be affected by changes contained in the 
preliminary map, including how many structures will 
be that were not previously located in an area having 
special flood hazards will be located within such an 
area under the preliminary map; and’’. 
SEC. 31. DISCLOSURE. 
(a) CHANGES IN RATES RESULTING FROM THIS ACT.—Not later 
than the date that is 6 months before the date on which any 
change in risk premium rates for flood insurance coverage under 
the National Flood Insurance Program resulting from this Act or 
any amendment made by this Act is implemented, the Adminis-
trator shall make publicly available the rate tables and under-
writing guidelines that provide the basis for the change. 
(b) REPORT ON POLICY AND CLAIMS DATA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the Congress a report on the feasibility of— 
(A) releasing property-level policy and claims data for 
flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insur-
ance Program; and 
(B) establishing guidelines for releasing property-level 
policy and claims data for flood insurance coverage under 
the National Flood Insurance Program in accordance with 
section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly 
known as the Privacy Act of 1974). 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
(A) an analysis and assessment of how releasing prop-
erty-level policy and claims data for flood insurance cov-
erage under the National Flood Insurance Program will 
aid policy holders and insurers to understand how the 
Administration determines actuarial premium rates and 
assesses flood risks; and
H. R. 3370—17 
(B) recommendations for protecting personal informa-
tion in accordance with section 552a of title 5, United 
States Code (commonly known as the Privacy Act of 1974). 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.