H.R. 2875: National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-06-12 · Finance and Financial Sector · Latest: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 166.

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Where it came from: introduced 2017-06-12 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 166. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2017

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make additional coverage of up to $30,000 available under its existing Increased Cost of Compliance program, with optional coverage of up to $60,000. Currently, FEMA may make available coverage to insure the cost of mitigating future flood damage to a structure insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that has been substantially or repetitively damaged by floods. The bill allows FEMA to require the property owner maintain continuous flood insurance coverage as a condition of providing cost of compliance coverage. (Sec. 3) FEMA is directed to establish a pilot program for "Write Your Own" companies (companies that write and service federal standard flood insurance policies in their own name) to investigate preexisting structural conditions in properties that may result in a denial of a claim in the event of a flood loss under NFIP. (Sec. 4) Fraud and false statements in connection with a flood insurance claim under NFIP are subject to civil enforcement, penalties, and suspension from the program. The bill directs FEMA to refer evidence of this activity to the Department of Justice. (Sec. 5) FEMA is directed to revise the appeals process for policyholders seeking review of a flood insurance claim denial by their insurer. A decision shall be provided to the policyholder. (Sec. 6) Claims under NFIP must be decided no later than 90 days after the claim is made. In extraordinary cases, the deadline may be extended by an additional 15 days. (Sec. 7) This bill establishes FEMA's authority to oversee litigation conducted by Write Your Own companies regarding NFIP contracts, including expenses and litigation strategy. FEMA is authorized to substitute itself for a Write Your Own company in litigation. (Sec. 8) FEMA may not hire in connection with NFIP any disbarred or suspended attorney. (Sec. 9) FEMA must establish penalties for Write Your Own companies that knowingly underpay NFIP claims. (Sec. 10) FEMA may rely upon technical assistance reports when adjusting claims made under NFIP only if the reports are final and meet applicable professional standards. Technical assistance reports must be made available to policyholders upon request when used in claim determinations. (Sec. 11) Every policy issued under NFIP must include documents describing the type of loss covered, a summary of the costs of the policy, and an explanation of the policy's parameters. (Sec. 12) FEMA is authorized to credit reserve funds to the National Flood Insurance Fund. (Sec. 13) FEMA is directed to ensure sufficient staff for the Flood Insurance Advocate. (Sec. 14) The bill establishes a Federal Flood Insurance Advisory Committee. (Sec. 15) The bill directs federal lending regulation entities and FEMA to update interagency guidance regarding flood insurance. (Sec. 16) The bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on claims adjustment practices under NFIP. (Sec. 17) The bill directs GAO to report on NFIP coverage of earth movement and subsidence caused by flooding.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House without amendment)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] · 4 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2875, National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act of 2017 (2017-07-18)

Cosponsors on this site

Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] reported raising $180,257 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House without amendment)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr2875.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr2875 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115