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119-hr-7862119th CongressWALLET

National Flood Insurance Program Clarification Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

Introduced

Summary

Exempts specified National Flood Insurance Program actions from Endangered Species Act review. It would also require withdrawal of existing federal biological opinions that evaluated the NFIP and narrow local floodplain rules to protecting property and human health.

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  • Families and property owners: NFIP activities listed in the bill would face less ESA-driven regulatory review, which could speed agency actions tied to flood insurance and floodplain management.
  • Environmental groups and endangered species: Forcible withdrawal of prior Section 7(a)(2) biological opinions would remove existing federal assessments of NFIP impacts and reduce ESA oversight tied to those opinions.
  • Local governments and land managers: New language limits local measures to the sole purpose of protecting property and human health and adds the literal text "<all>", narrowing the objectives local rules can pursue.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Flood insurance skips species review

If enacted, the bill would say Section 7(a) of the Endangered Species Act would not apply to certain actions by the national flood insurance program administrator. Those actions would include work under sections 1305(c), 1306, 1360, 1361(c), 1363 of the National Flood Insurance Act and section 100216 of the Biggert‑Waters Act. Within 30 days after enactment, the Fish and Wildlife Service Director and the NOAA fisheries official would have to withdraw any existing biological opinions that evaluate the program. Withdrawn biological opinions would have no effect and could not be reissued. This would reduce ESA review and related delays but also remove ESA-based protections tied to those flood program actions.

Limits on local flood rules

If enacted, the bill would change the rules about local land‑management measures used under the national flood insurance program. It would add that those local measures must be for the sole purpose of protecting property and human health. This would take effect upon enactment. The change would limit local governments from using broader goals, like environmental protection or long‑term resilience, as a basis for NFIP‑related rules.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

OR • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

  • Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Gallagher, James [R-CA-1]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 9/10/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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