National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-3111
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Disaster relief and insurance
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Floods and storm protection
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Insurance industry and regulation
Land use and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to revise the appeals process for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders seeking review of a flood insurance claim denial by their insurer. The bill prohibits fraud and false statements in connection with a flood insurance claim under NFIP.
 
Claims under NFIP must be approved or denied no later than 120 days after the claim is made, with provisions for an extension in extraordinary cases. 
 
The bill gives FEMA oversight in litigation conducted by Write Your Own companies. (A Write Your Own company writes and services federal standard flood insurance policies in its own name.) FEMA may not hire in connection with NFIP any disbarred or suspended attorney.
 
This bill directs FEMA to ensure sufficient staff for the Flood Insurance Advocate, authorizes FEMA to credit reserve funds to the National Flood Insurance Fund, and establishes pilot programs and committees.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on claims adjustment practices under NFIP and NFIP coverage of earth movement and subsidence.
 
 


action_date: 2019-10-28
text: 

National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to revise the appeals process for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders seeking review of a flood insurance claim denial by their insurer. The bill prohibits fraud and false statements in connection with a flood insurance claim under NFIP.
 
Claims under NFIP must be approved or denied no later than 120 days after the claim is made, with provisions for an extension in extraordinary cases. 
 
The bill gives FEMA oversight in litigation conducted by Write Your Own companies. (A Write Your Own company writes and services federal standard flood insurance policies in its own name.) FEMA may not hire in connection with NFIP any disbarred or suspended attorney.
 
This bill directs FEMA to ensure sufficient staff for the Flood Insurance Advocate, authorizes FEMA to credit reserve funds to the National Flood Insurance Fund, and establishes pilot programs and committees.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on claims adjustment practices under NFIP and NFIP coverage of earth movement and subsidence.
 
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-28
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 209.
action_date: 2019-10-28
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 116-261.
action_date: 2019-10-28
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 116-261.
action_date: 2019-06-11
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 58 - 0.
action_date: 2019-06-11
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in House