striking the period at the end and inserting a semi-
colon; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(E) properties that have been identified 
by the Administrator, or by a community in ac-
cordance with such requirements as the Admin-
istrator shall establish, as at a high risk of fu-
ture flood damage; and 
‘‘(F) properties that are located within an 
area 
identified 
pursuant 
to 
section 
1361(e)(1)(A) (42 U.S.C. 4102(e)(1)(A)) by a 
covered community (as such term is defined in 
paragraph (3) of such section 1361(e)).’’. 
(b) COVERAGE AMOUNT.—Section 1304(b) of the 
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4011(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) (as so designated by sub-
section (a)(3) of this section), by striking the last 
sentence (relating to a surcharge); and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) COVERAGE AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(A) PRIMARY
COVERAGE.—Each policy 
for flood insurance coverage made available 
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under this title shall provide coverage under 
this subsection having an aggregate liability for 
any single property of $30,000. 
‘‘(B) ENHANCED COVERAGE.—The Admin-
istrator shall make additional coverage available 
under this subsection, in excess of the limit 
specified in subparagraph (A), having an aggre-
gate liability for any single property of up to 
$60,000.’’. 
(c) AMOUNT OF SURCHARGE.—Subsection (b) of sec-
tion 1304 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4011(b)), as amended by the preceding provi-
sions of this section, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) SURCHARGE FOR COVERAGE.— 
‘‘(A) PRIMARY COVERAGE.—The Adminis-
trator shall impose a surcharge on each insured 
of such amount per policy as the Administrator 
determines is appropriate to provide cost of 
compliance coverage in accordance with para-
graph (2)(A). 
‘‘(B) ENHANCED
COVERAGE.—For each 
flood policy for flood insurance coverage under 
this title under which additional cost of compli-
ance coverage is provided pursuant to para-
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graph (2)(B), the Administrator shall impose a 
surcharge, in addition to the surcharge under 
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, in such 
amount as the Administrator determines is ap-
propriate for the amount of such coverage pro-
vided.’’. 
(d) USE OF CERTAIN MATERIALS.—Subsection (b) of 
section 1304 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4011(b)), as amended by the preceding provi-
sions of this section, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) USE OF CERTAIN MATERIALS.—The Ad-
ministrator shall require that any measures imple-
mented using amounts made available from coverage 
provided pursuant to this subsection be carried out 
using materials, identified by the Administrator, 
that minimize the impact of flooding on the usability 
of the covered property and reduce the duration that 
flooding renders the property unusable or uninhabit-
able.’’. 
(e) CONTINUED
FLOOD
INSURANCE
REQUIRE-
MENT.—Subsection (b) of section 1304 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011(b)), as 
amended by the preceding provisions of this section, is fur-
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ther amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(5) CONTINUED FLOOD INSURANCE REQUIRE-
MENT.—The Administrator may require, as a condi-
tion of providing cost of compliance coverage under 
this subsection for a property, that the owner of the 
property enter into such binding agreements as the 
Administrator considers necessary to ensure that the 
owner of the property (and any subsequent owners) 
will maintain flood insurance coverage under this 
title for the property in such amount, and at all 
times during a period having such duration, as the 
Administrator considers appropriate to carry out the 
purposes of this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM FOR PROPERTIES WITH PRE-
EXISTING CONDITIONS. 
Section 1311 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4018) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) PILOT PROGRAM FOR INVESTIGATION OF PRE-
EXISTING STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS.— 
‘‘(1) VOLUNTARY
PROGRAM.—The Adminis-
trator shall carry out a pilot program under this 
subsection to provide for companies participating in 
the Write Your Own program (as such term is de-
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fined in section 1370(a) (42 U.S.C. 4121(a))) to in-
vestigate preexisting structural conditions of insured 
properties and potentially insured properties that 
could result in the denial of a claim under a policy 
for flood insurance coverage under this title in the 
event of a flood loss to such property. Participation 
in the pilot program shall be voluntary on the part 
of Write Your Own companies. 
‘‘(2) INVESTIGATION OF PROPERTIES.—Under 
the pilot program under this subsection, a Write 
Your Own company participating in the program 
shall— 
‘‘(A) provide in policies for flood insurance 
coverage under this title covered by the pro-
gram that, upon the request of the policyholder, 
the company shall provide for— 
‘‘(i) an investigation of the property 
covered by such policy, using common 
methods, to determine whether preexisting 
structural conditions are present that could 
result in the denial of a claim under such 
policy for flood losses; and 
‘‘(ii) if such investigation is not deter-
minative, an on-site inspection of the prop-
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erty to determine whether such preexisting 
structural conditions are present; 
‘‘(B) upon completion of an investigation 
or inspection pursuant to subparagraph (A) 
that determines that such a preexisting struc-
tural condition is present or absent, submit a 
report to the policyholder and Administrator de-
scribing the condition; and 
‘‘(C) impose a surcharge on each policy de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) in such amount 
that the Administrator determines is appro-
priate to cover the costs of investigations and 
inspections performed pursuant to such policies 
and reimburse Write Your Own companies par-
ticipating in the program under this subsection 
for such costs. 
‘‘(3) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than Decem-
ber 31, 2021, the Administrator shall submit a re-
port to the Committee on Financial Services of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate 
describing the operation of the pilot program to that 
date. 
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‘‘(4) SUNSET.—The Administrator may not 
provide any policy for flood insurance described in 
paragraph (2)(A) after December 31, 2022. 
‘‘(5) FINAL
REPORT.—Not later than March 
31, 2023, the Administrator shall submit a final re-
port regarding the pilot program under this section 
to the Committee on Financial Services of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, 
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. The re-
port shall include any findings and recommendations 
of the Administrator regarding the pilot program.’’. 
SEC. 4. PENALTIES FOR FRAUD AND FALSE STATEMENTS 
IN THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PRO-
GRAM. 
Part C of chapter 2 of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1349. PENALTIES FOR FRAUD AND FALSE STATE-
MENTS IN THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE 
PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITED ACTS.—A person shall not know-
ingly make a false or misleading statement, production, 
or submission in connection with the proving or adjusting 
of a claim for flood insurance coverage made available 
under this Act. Such prohibited acts include— 
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‘‘(1) knowingly forging an engineering report, 
claims adjustment report or technical assistance re-
port used to support a claim determination; 
‘‘(2) knowingly making any materially false, fic-
titious, or fraudulent statement or representation in 
an engineering report, claims adjustment report, or 
technical assistance report to support a claim deter-
mination; 
‘‘(3) knowingly submitting a materially false, 
fictitious, or fraudulent claim. 
‘‘(b) CIVIL ENFORCEMENT.—The Attorney General 
may bring a civil action for such relief as may be appro-
priate whenever it appears that any person has violated 
or is about to violate any provision of this section. Such 
action may be brought in an appropriate United States 
district court. 
‘‘(c) REFERRAL TO ATTORNEY GENERAL.—The Ad-
ministrator shall expeditiously refer to the Attorney Gen-
eral for appropriate action any evidence developed in the 
performance of functions under this Act that may warrant 
consideration for criminal or civil prosecution. 
‘‘(d) PENALTIES.— 
‘‘(1) CIVIL MONETARY PENALTY.—Any person 
who violates subsection (a) shall be subject to a civil 
penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation, 
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which shall be deposited into the National Flood In-
surance Fund established under section 1310 (42 
U.S.C. 4017). 
‘‘(2) SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT.—Any per-
son who violates subsection (a) shall not be eligible, 
for a period of not less than 2 years and not to ex-
ceed 5 years, to— 
‘‘(A) receive flood insurance coverage pur-
suant to this title; or 
‘‘(B) provide services in connection with 
the selling, servicing, or handling of claims for 
flood insurance policies provided pursuant to 
this title. 
‘‘(3) OTHER
PENALTIES.—The penalties pro-
vided for in this subsection shall be in addition to 
any other civil or criminal penalty available under 
law.’’. 
SEC. 5. ENHANCED POLICYHOLDER APPEALS PROCESS 
RIGHTS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Part C of chapter II of the 
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081 
et seq.), as amended by the preceding provisions of this 
Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
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‘‘SEC. 1350. APPROVAL OF DECISIONS RELATING TO FLOOD 
INSURANCE COVERAGE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall estab-
lish an appeals process to enable holders of a flood insur-
ance policy provided under this title to appeal the decisions 
of their insurer, with respect to the disallowance, in whole 
or in part, of any claims for proved and approved losses 
covered by flood insurance. Such appeals shall be limited 
to the claim or portion of the claim disallowed by the in-
surer. 
‘‘(b) APPEAL DECISION.—Upon a decision in an ap-
peal under subsection (a), the Administrator shall provide 
the policyholder with a written appeal decision. The appeal 
decision shall explain the Administrator’s determination to 
uphold or overturn the decision of the flood insurer. The 
Administrator may direct the flood insurer to take action 
necessary to resolve the appeal, to include re-inspection, 
re-adjustment, or payment, as appropriate. 
‘‘(c) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—This section shall 
not be construed as— 
‘‘(1) making the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency or the Administrator a party to the 
flood insurance contract; or 
‘‘(2) creating any action or remedy not other-
wise provided by this title.’’. 
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(b) REPEAL.—Section 205 of the Bunning-Blu-
menauer-Bereuter Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 
(42 U.S.C. 4011 note) is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 6. DEADLINE FOR APPROVAL OF CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1312 of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘The Adminis-
trator’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to other provisions of 
this section, the Administrator’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d) DEADLINE FOR APPROVAL OF CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
provide that, in the case of any claim for damage to 
or loss of property under flood insurance coverage 
made available under this title, a final determination 
regarding approval of a claim for payment or dis-
approval of the claim be made, and notification of 
such determination be provided to the insured mak-
ing such claim, not later than the expiration of the 
90-day period (as such period may be extended pur-
suant to paragraph (2)) beginning upon the day on 
which such claim was made. Payment of approved 
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claims shall be made as soon as possible after such 
approval. 
‘‘(2) EXTENSION OF DEADLINE.—The Adminis-
trator shall provide that the period referred to in 
paragraph (1) may be extended by a single addi-
tional period of 15 days in cases where extraordinary 
circumstances are demonstrated. The Administrator 
shall, by regulation, establish criteria for dem-
onstrating such extraordinary circumstances and for 
determining to which claims such extraordinary cir-
cumstances apply.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall apply to any claim under flood insurance 
coverage made available under the National Flood Insur-
ance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) pending on 
the date of the enactment of this Act and any claims made 
after such date of enactment. 
SEC. 7. LITIGATION PROCESS OVERSIGHT AND REFORM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part C of chapter II of the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081 et 
seq.), as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
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‘‘SEC. 1351. OVERSIGHT OF LITIGATION. 
‘‘(a) OVERSIGHT.—The Administrator shall monitor 
and oversee litigation conducted by Write Your Own com-
panies arising under contracts for flood insurance sold 
pursuant to this title, to ensure that— 
‘‘(1) litigation expenses are reasonable, appro-
priate, and cost-effective; and 
‘‘(2) Write Your Own companies comply with 
guidance and procedures established by the Adminis-
trator regarding the conduct of litigation. 
‘‘(b) 
DENIAL
OF
REIMBURSEMENT
FOR
EX-
PENSES.—The Administrator may deny reimbursement 
for litigation expenses that are determined to be unreason-
able, excessive, contrary to guidance issued by the Admin-
istrator, or outside the scope of any arrangement entered 
into with a Write Your Own company. 
‘‘(c) LITIGATION
STRATEGY.—The Administrator 
may direct litigation strategy for claims arising under a 
contract for flood insurance sold by a Write Your Own 
company. 
‘‘(d) SUBSTITUTION.—If at any time, the Adminis-
trator determines there is a conflict of interest between 
the Write Your Own company and the National Flood In-
surance Program, or it is in the best interest of the United 
States, the Administrator may promptly take any nec-
essary action to be substituted for the WYO company in 
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any action arising out of any claim arising under a con-
tract for flood insurance sold by a Write Your Own com-
pany.’’. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall initiate 
compliance with section 1352(d) of the National Flood In-
surance Act of 1968, as added by the amendment made 
by subsection (a) of this section, not later than the expira-
tion of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON HIRING DISBARRED ATTORNEYS. 
Part C of chapter II of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.), as amended by the 
preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1352. PROHIBITION ON HIRING DISBARRED ATTOR-
NEYS. 
‘‘The Administrator may not at any time newly em-
ploy in connection with the flood insurance program under 
this title any attorney who has been suspended or dis-
barred by any court, bar, or Federal or State agency to 
which the individual was previously admitted to practice.’’. 
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SEC. 9. UNDERPAYMENT OF CLAIMS BY WRITE YOUR OWN 
COMPANIES. 
Section 1345 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4081) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) UNDERPAYMENT OF CLAIMS BY WYO COMPA-
NIES.—The Administrator shall establish penalties for 
companies participating in the Write Your Own program 
knowingly underpaying claims for losses covered by flood 
insurance made available under this title, which penalties 
shall be commensurate, with respect to the amount of the 
penalty, to the penalties applicable to overpayment of such 
claims by a similar amount by such companies.’’. 
SEC. 10. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTS. 
(a) USE.—Section 1312 of the National Flood Insur-
ance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4019), as amended by the 
preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) USE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTS.— 
When adjusting claims for any damage to or loss of prop-
erty which is covered by flood insurance made available 
under this title, the Administrator may rely upon technical 
assistance reports, as such term is defined in section 
1312A, only if such reports are final and are prepared 
in compliance with applicable State and Federal laws re-
garding professional licensure and conduct.’’. 
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(b) DISCLOSURE.—The National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 is amended by inserting after section 1312 
(42 U.S.C. 4019) the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1312A. DISCLOSURE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RE-
PORTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 552a of 
title 5, United States Code, upon request by a policy-
holder, the Administrator shall provide a true, complete, 
and unredacted copy of any technical assistance report 
that the Administrator relied upon in adjusting and pay-
ing for any damage to or loss of property insured by the 
policyholder and covered by flood insurance made available 
under this title. Such disclosures shall be in addition to 
any other right of disclosure otherwise made available pur-
suant such section 552a or any other provision of law. 
‘‘(b) DIRECT DISCLOSURE BY WRITE YOUR OWN 
COMPANIES AND DIRECT SERVICING AGENTS.—A Write 
Your Own company or direct servicing agent in possession 
of a technical assistance report subject to disclosure under 
subsection (a) may disclose such technical assistance re-
port without further review or approval by the Adminis-
trator. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the 
following definitions shall apply: 
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‘‘(1) POLICYHOLDER.—The term ‘policyholder’ 
means a person or persons shown as an insured on 
the declarations page of a policy for flood insurance 
coverage sold pursuant to this title. 
‘‘(2) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
REPORT.—The 
term ‘technical assistance report’ means a report 
created for the purpose of furnishing technical as-
sistance to an insurance claims adjuster assigned by 
the National Flood Insurance Program, including by 
engineers, surveyors, salvors, architects, and cer-
tified public accounts.’’. 
SEC. 11. IMPROVED DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT FOR 
STANDARD FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES. 
Section 100234 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insur-
ance 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 disclosure sheet that sets forth, in plain lan-
guage— 
‘‘(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 
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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 of the types and charac-
teristics of losses that are not covered under the 
policy; 
‘‘(D) a summary of total cost and amount 
of insurance coverage, and any other informa-
tion relating to such coverage required to be 
disclosed under section 1308(l) of the National 
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4015(l)); 
‘‘(E) a statement that the disclosure sheet 
provides general information about the policy-
holder’s standard flood insurance policy; 
‘‘(F) a statement that the standard flood 
insurance policy, together with the application, 
endorsements, and declarations page, make up 
the official contract and are controlling in the 
event that there is any difference between the 
information on the disclosure sheet and the in-
formation in the policy; and 
‘‘(G) a statement that if the policyholder 
has any questions regarding information in the 
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disclosure sheet or policy he or she should con-
tact the entity selling the policy on behalf of the 
Program, together with contact information suf-
ficient to allow the policyholder to contact such 
entity. 
‘‘(2) ACKNOWLEDGMENT SHEET.—Each policy 
under the National Flood Insurance Program shall 
include an acknowledgment sheet that sets forth, in 
plain language— 
‘‘(A) a statement of whether or not there 
is a basement in the property to be covered by 
the policy; 
‘‘(B) a statement of whether or not the 
policy provides coverage for the contents of the 
property covered by the policy; 
‘‘(C) a statement that the standard flood 
insurance policy, together with the application, 
endorsements, and declarations 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 
‘‘(D) a statement that if the policyholder 
has any questions regarding information in the 
acknowledgment sheet or policy he or she 
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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. 
‘‘(3) 
REQUIRED
SIGNATURES.—Notwith-
standing section 1306(c) of the National Flood In-
surance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4013(c)), a policy 
for flood insurance coverage under the National 
Flood Insurance Program may not take effect unless 
the disclosure sheet required under paragraph (1) 
and the acknowledgment sheet required under para-
graph (2), with respect to the policy, are signed and 
dated by the policyholder and the seller of the policy 
who is acting on behalf of the Program.’’. 
SEC. 12. 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. 13. 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. 14. FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an advi-
sory committee to be known as the Federal Flood Insur-
ance Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as 
the ‘‘Committee’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
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(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; 
(B) the Secretary of the Treasury, or the 
designee thereof; and 
(C) additional members appointed by the 
Administrator or the designee of the Adminis-
trator, who shall be— 
(i) two representatives of the property 
and casualty insurance sector; 
(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 financial 
or insurance sectors who is involved in risk 
transfers, including reinsurance, resilience 
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bonds, and other insurance-linked securi-
ties; 
(iv) one actuary with demonstrated 
high-level knowledge of catastrophic risk 
insurance; 
(v) two insurance professionals with 
demonstrated experience with the sale of 
flood insurance under the National Flood 
Insurance Program; 
(vi) two representatives of cata-
strophic risk insurance programs; 
(vii) one insurance claims specialist; 
(viii) one representative of a recog-
nized consumer advocacy organization; 
(ix) 
one 
individual 
having 
dem-
onstrated expertise in the challenges in in-
suring low-income communities; 
(x) one representative from an aca-
demic institution who has demonstrated 
expertise in insurance; and 
(xi) such other recognized experts in 
the field of insurance as the Administrator 
considers necessary. 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—In appointing members 
under paragraph (1)(C), the Administrator shall, to 
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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 
the Administrator as at high risk for flooding or as 
areas having special flood hazards. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Committee shall review, and make 
recommendations to the Administrator, upon request, on 
matters related to the insurance aspects of the National 
Flood Insurance Program, including ratemaking, tech-
nology to administer insurance, risk assessment, actuarial 
practices, claims practices, sales and insurance delivery, 
compensation and allowances, generally and based on the 
complexities of the program, and best insurance practices. 
(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The members of the Committee 
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. 
(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-
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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) STAFF OF FEMA.—Upon the request of the 
Chairperson, the Administrator may detail, on a nonreim-
bursable basis, personnel of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency to assist the Committee in carrying out 
its duties. 
(h) 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. 
(i) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Administrator, on 
an annual basis, shall report to the Committee on Finan-
cial Services of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee 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-
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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. 
SEC. 15. 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. 16. 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. 17. 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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‘‘(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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