Stark Amendment to Flood Insurance Reform Act, HR 1309, Passes House

Press Release

Today, an amendment introduced by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) to ensure homeowners have fair and direct warning when their property is added to a "Special Flood Hazard Area" passed in the House of Representatives. Rep. Stark introduced the amendment with Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN). It passed with bipartisan support and is part of the Flood Insurance Reform Act, HR 1309, which is now pending in the Senate.

"Homeowners must be given ample and direct notification if their property is drawn into a Special Food Hazard Area by FEMA," said Rep. Stark. "For years, my constituents in Fremont and San Leandro have rightly complained about being forced to buy expensive flood insurance while they were denied the chance to petition, at no cost, during the community appeals process. I'm pleased to have finally been able to help right this wrong."

The Stark-Burton amendment would:

* Require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to mail notification directly to homeowners before the 90-day appeal period that kicks in once a flood hazard map is redrawn.
o This will allow homeowners to take part in the community appeals process and potentially have blocks of homes removed from the floodplain at no expense to owners.

* Require FEMA to notify mayors of affected communities and to publish flood elevation changes in prominent local newspapers.
o Currently, FEMA must only post flood map changes in the Federal Register -- hardly a well-read publication.

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