After what seems like forever, the House unanimously has passed a bipartisan bill to renew the NFIP until 2024. The bill includes a retroactive effective date if it does not come into effect until after the current program expires in September. Also included are means-tested discount rates for eligible household, annual income determinations for such rates, allows for monthly installment payment of premiums instead of annual payments, and allows for low-interest loans for eligible property owners.

A large section is dedicated to mapping and includes increases in funding or mapping programs, coordination with the United States Geological Survey for data sharing, create a program to enhance mapping of urban flooding and property damage and make information available to homeowners, businesses and governments, provide grants to determine flood risk, improve flood maps, allow appeals of denials for upgraded flood maps, communication regarding map changes, adoption of partial flood maps, and creation of a new zone for levee-impacted areas.

 Mitigation is critical to the success of any flood program. An aggregate limit of $60,000 is available for eligible mitigation efforts, relocation of damaged property results in designating that property for open space or a restroom or approved structure in perpetuity that is compatible with open space, recreational or wetlands management practices. Requests for assistance will take into consideration if the property is a multiple-loss property and to what extent. A voluntary community-based flood pilot program will be created, improvements to the community rating system will be made, and a community assistance program for effective floodplain management will be created.