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119-s-4515119th CongressWALLET

Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Introduced

Summary

Modernize urban flood maps and put clear, building-level risk data into homeowners' hands. This bill would establish a FEMA pilot that funds local governments and stormwater authorities to create tech-based, public-facing urban flood maps and mitigation guidance that incorporate climate trends and structure-specific risk projections.

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  • Families and homeowners: Would get publicly posted, structure-specific flood risk assessments and projections of annual flood frequency to help prioritize repairs, resilience upgrades, and insurance decisions.
  • Local governments and stormwater authorities: Grants would be available to units in urbanized areas with populations over 50,000, with the federal share capped at 75 percent and awards timed to require project completion within 18 months.
  • Federal planning and transparency: FEMA would run a tiered pilot with up to three grantees per fiscal year and a total of 12 awardees, require grantee reports within 30 months, and provide biennial public progress reports plus final recommendations for broader mapping and mitigation strategies.

*This bill would authorize $2 million for FY2027 and $5 million for FY2028, authorizing $7 million in federal funding available through FY2030.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

New pilot grants for urban flood maps

If enacted, the bill would create a FEMA pilot that makes grants to local governments and stormwater authorities in urbanized areas. Grants would pay for better, technology-based urban flood maps, structure-level flood projections, climate-informed risk assessments, and web posting of results. The mapping would help homeowners, businesses, and localities see and plan for urban flooding risk.

Funding for pilot grants

If enacted, the bill would authorize $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2028 for the pilot grants. The FY2028 amounts would remain available through FY2030. These are authorization levels; actual spending would depend on later appropriations.

Definitions that set program scope

If enacted, the bill would define key terms for the pilot. "Coastal" would mean a unit next to a body of water over 2,000 square miles that is not a river. "Pelagic" would mean coastal areas that border oceans or large bays or gulfs that empty to the ocean. "Urban flooding" would mean flooding in built, densely populated places and would exclude undeveloped or agricultural flooding. Population counts must use the most recent decennial census.

Grant deadlines and public reporting

If enacted, applicants would file the FEMA form and follow required application rules. Grants would cover no more than 75 percent of project costs and recipients would need to finish activities within 18 months of getting funds. Each recipient would file a report to FEMA within 30 months. FEMA would also publish reports to Congress every two years and a final report with recommendations.

Limited pilot grants for cities

If enacted, the pilot would select up to 12 total recipients across three population tiers. The program would pick up to three recipients each year when funds are available. Priority in smaller tiers would favor places vulnerable to sea level rise, with military facilities, or with high social vulnerability. A unit or its stormwater authority could not receive a second grant.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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