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S1564119th CongressWALLET

Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act

Sponsored By: Senator Murray, Patty [D-WA]

Passed Senate

Summary

Restoring natural floodplain functions is the bill's central aim. It would create a legal category called "ecosystem restoration projects", make them eligible for certain floodplain and flood-insurance flexibilities, and cut some fees for map changes.

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  • Communities: Could approve an ecosystem restoration project inside an adopted regulatory floodway that raises the base flood elevation if a professional engineer finds the cumulative increase is no more than 1 foot or a larger metric the FEMA Administrator sets. No insurable structure or critical infrastructure may be adversely affected and the community must submit a post-completion analysis within 180 days.
  • Project sponsors: Would not have to pay review or processing fees when requesting flood insurance rate map changes based on an ecosystem restoration project.
  • Federal coordination and rules: The FEMA Administrator must issue guidance within 180 days after enactment after consulting covered federal and state natural resource agencies, and the bill updates HFIAA section language and the table of contents.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Restoration allowed in floodways, with limits

Communities would be allowed to approve ecosystem restoration projects in a regulatory floodway, even if they raise base flood levels, if an engineer finds the total effect would not raise the base flood water surface by more than 1 foot unless FEMA sets a higher amount. No insurable structure or critical infrastructure would be in an area that would be harmed by the increase. Within 180 days after the project is finished, the community would send FEMA an analysis of the changed conditions. FEMA would consult Federal and State natural resource agencies and issue guidance within 180 days after enactment. This bill would not change the current landowner notice process for work in a floodway.

No fees for restoration-based flood map changes

A requester would not pay FEMA review or processing fees for a flood map change that is based on an ecosystem restoration project. Homeowners, landowners, developers, and restoration sponsors could use this when the map change request relies on such a project. It would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Murray, Patty [D-WA]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 5/1/2025

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 4/15/2026

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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