SEC. 20. STUDY OF METHODS TO INCREASE FLOOD INSUR-
ANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION BY LOW-IN-
COME FAMILIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study to identify and ana-
lyze potential methods, practices, and incentives that 
would increase the extent to which low-income families (as 
such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States 
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))) that own resi-
dential properties located within areas having special flood 
hazards purchase flood insurance coverage for such prop-
erties under the national flood insurance program. In con-
ducting the study, the Comptroller General shall analyze 
the effectiveness and costs of the various methods, prac-
tices, and incentives identified, including their effects on 
the national flood insurance program. 
(b) REPORT.—The Comptroller General shall submit 
to the Congress a report setting forth the conclusions of 
the study under this section not later than 12 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 21. REPORT ON INCLUSION OF BUILDING CODES IN 
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT CRITERIA. 
Not later than the expiration of the 6-month period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
shall conduct a study and submit a report to the Com-
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mittee on Financial Services of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs of the Senate regarding the impact, effectiveness, 
and feasibility of amending section 1361 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4102) to include 
widely used and nationally recognized building codes as 
part of the floodplain management criteria developed 
under such section, and shall determine— 
(1) the regulatory, financial, and economic im-
pacts of such a building code requirement on home-
owners, States and local communities, local land use 
policies, and the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency; 
(2) the resources required of State and local 
communities to administer and enforce such a build-
ing code requirement; 
(3) the effectiveness of such a building code re-
quirement in reducing flood-related damage to build-
ings and contents; 
(4) the impact of such a building code require-
ment on the actuarial soundness of the National 
Flood Insurance Program; 
(5) the effectiveness of nationally recognized 
codes in allowing innovative materials and systems 
for flood-resistant construction; and 
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(6) the feasibility and effectiveness of providing 
an incentive in lower premium rates for flood insur-
ance coverage under such Act for structures meeting 
whichever of such widely used and nationally recog-
nized building code or any applicable local building 
code provides greater protection from flood damage. 
Æ 
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