Walberg Amendment to Help Homeowners Passes

Press Release

Today, Congressman Tim Walberg successfully offered and passed an amendment to H.R. 1309, the Flood Insurance Reform Act, that would assist homeowners adversely affected by new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain maps. Since 2006, FEMA has been tasked to issue new flood maps across the country.

"I have heard from a multitude of my constituents who feel they are the victims of a poorly implemented government mandate. From properties that fall within a newly created floodplain by an inch to communities who have challenged the flood maps with a ninety percent success rate, compelling evidence shows that the current methods FEMA uses to construct these maps are inaccurate, onerous and often punitive. I am pleased to provide this much-needed regulatory relief to my constituents and others affected by it around the country."

Congressman Walberg's amendment would implement a moratorium on the issuance and implementation of new flood maps until the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) has completed its due diligence, issued a report on mapping standards, and increased the integrity of the mapping process. The amendment also contains a provision that allows the FEMA Administrator to correct faulty maps that are already in place.

"Flood insurance should exist to protect homes that are under a real threat of flooding. It should not force homeowners to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars on unnecessary, government-mandated insurance based on incorrectly drawn maps during the worst jobs economy in a generation," concluded Walberg.

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