HR 5652 PCS 
the smallest geographic level possible (but not 
necessarily property-by-property) to ensure that 
communities are mapped in a manner that 
takes into consideration different risk levels 
within the community; 
(B) ensure the most efficient generation, 
display, and distribution of flood risk data, 
models, and maps where practicable through 
dynamic digital environments using spatial 
database technology and the Internet; 
(C) ensure that flood insurance rate maps 
reflect current hydrologic and hydraulic data, 
current land use, and topography, incorporating 
the most current and accurate ground and 
bathymetric elevation data; 
(D) determine the best ways to include in 
such flood insurance rate maps levees, decerti-
fied levees, and areas located below dams, in-
cluding determining a methodology for ensuring 
that decertified levees and other protections are 
included in flood insurance rate maps and their 
corresponding flood zones reflect the level of 
protection conferred; 
(E) consider how to incorporate restored 
wetlands and other natural buffers into flood 
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HR 5652 PCS 
insurance rate maps, which may include wet-
lands, groundwater recharge areas, erosion 
zones, meander belts, endangered species habi-
tat, barrier islands and shoreline buffer fea-
tures, riparian forests, and other features; 
(F) consider whether to use vertical posi-
tioning (as defined by the Administrator) for 
flood insurance rate maps; 
(G) ensure that flood insurance rate maps 
differentiate between a property that is located 
in a flood zone and a structure located on such 
property that is not at the same risk level for 
flooding as such property due to the elevation 
of the structure; 
(H) ensure that flood insurance rate maps 
take into consideration the best scientific data 
and potential future conditions (including pro-
jections for sea level rise); and 
(I) consider how to incorporate the new 
standards proposed pursuant to this paragraph 
in existing mapping efforts. 
(2) ONGOING DUTIES.—The Council shall, on 
an ongoing basis, review the mapping protocols de-
veloped pursuant to paragraph (1), and make rec-
ommendations to the Administrator when the Coun-
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HR 5652 PCS 
cil determines that mapping protocols should be al-
tered. 
(3) MEETINGS.—In carrying out its duties 
under this section, the Council shall consult with 
stakeholders through at least 4 public meetings an-
nually, and shall seek input of all stakeholder inter-
ests including State and local representatives, envi-
ronmental and conservation organizations, insurance 
industry representatives, advocacy groups, planning 
organizations, and mapping organizations. 
(d) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION.—Members of 
the Council shall receive no additional compensation by 
reason of their service on the Council. 
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The Administrator shall serve as 
the Chairperson of the Council. 
(f) STAFF.— 
(1) FEMA.—Upon the request of the Council, 
the Administrator may detail, on a nonreimbursable 
basis, personnel of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency to assist the Council in carrying out its 
duties. 
(2) OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request 
of the Council, any other Federal agency that is a 
member of the Council may detail, on a non-reim-
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bursable basis, personnel to assist the Council in 
carrying out its duties. 
(g) POWERS.—In carrying out this section, the Coun-
cil may hold hearings, receive evidence and assistance, pro-
vide information, and conduct research, as the Council 
considers appropriate. 
(h) TERMINATION.—The Council shall terminate 
upon the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(i) MORATORIUM ON FLOOD MAP CHANGES.— 
(1) MORATORIUM.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2) and notwithstanding any other provision 
of this subtitle, the National Flood Insurance Act of 
1968, or the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 
during the period beginning upon the date of the en-
actment of this Act and ending upon the submission 
by the Council to the Administrator and the Con-
gress of the proposed new mapping standards re-
quired under subsection (c)(1), the Administrator 
may not make effective any new or updated rate 
maps for flood insurance coverage under the na-
tional flood insurance program that were not in ef-
fect for such program as of such date of enactment, 
or otherwise revise, update, or change the flood in-
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surance rate maps in effect for such program as of 
such date. 
(2) LETTERS OF MAP CHANGE.—During the pe-
riod described in paragraph (1), the Administrator 
may revise, update, and change the flood insurance 
rate maps in effect for the national flood insurance 
program only pursuant to a letter of map change 
(including a letter of map amendment, letter of map 
revision, and letter of map revision based on fill). 
SEC. 347. FEMA INCORPORATION OF NEW MAPPING PROTO-
COLS. 
(a) NEW RATE MAPPING STANDARDS.—Not later 
than the expiration of the 6-month period beginning upon 
submission by the Technical Mapping Advisory Council 
under section 346 of the proposed new mapping standards 
for flood insurance rate maps used under the national 
flood insurance program developed by the Council pursu-
ant to section 346(c), the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘Administrator’’) shall establish new standards 
for such rate maps based on such proposed new standards 
and the recommendations of the Council. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The new standards for flood 
insurance rate maps established by the Administrator pur-
suant to subsection (a) shall— 
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assess the capacity of the private reinsurance, cap-
ital, and financial markets by seeking proposals to 
assume a portion of the program’s insurance risk 
and submit to the Congress a report describing the 
response to such request for proposals and the re-
sults of such assessment. 
(3) PROTOCOL FOR RELEASE OF DATA.—The 
Administrator shall develop a protocol to provide for 
the release of data sufficient to conduct the assess-
ment required under paragraph (2). 
(c) REINSURANCE.—The National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 is amended— 
(1) 
in 
section 
1331(a)(2) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
4051(a)(2)), by inserting ‘‘, including as reinsurance 
of insurance coverage provided by the flood insur-
ance program’’ before ‘‘, on such terms’’; 
(2) 
in 
section 
1332(c)(2) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
4052(c)(2)), by inserting ‘‘or reinsurance’’ after 
‘‘flood insurance coverage’’; 
(3) in section 1335(a) (42 U.S.C. 4055(a))— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(a)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The Administrator is authorized to secure rein-
surance coverage of coverage provided by the flood insur-
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