Flood Mapping Modernization Pilot

Summary#

This bill requires the FEMA Administrator to run a pilot program that gives grants to local governments and stormwater authorities in urbanized areas to improve maps of urban flooding and related property damage. The maps and data must be made available online to homeowners, businesses, and local governments. Grant work must develop easy-to-understand, technology-based mapping tools, give structure-specific flood frequency and risk assessments, include climate trends, and design mitigation programs.

The pilot will select up to 3 grant recipients each fiscal year, with an aggregate limit of 12 recipients across three population tiers (large, midsize, and small urbanized areas). Grants are one-time awards, may cover up to 75% of project costs, and recipients must finish the required work within 18 months of receiving funds. Grantees must report to FEMA 30 months after getting the grant. FEMA must send Congress biennial reports starting 2 years after enactment and a final report with recommendations.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a homeowner or business in a participating area: maps and online tools are supposed to be made public so you can see localized flood risk information. The bill does not provide direct grants to individual homeowners.
  • If you work for a local government or stormwater authority in an urbanized area (population over 50,000): you may apply for a one-time grant to build mapping tools and assessments. Priority is given to places vulnerable to sea level rise, places with military installations, or places with populations that are especially vulnerable to flooding.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2028 (amounts for FY2028 remain available through FY2030).
  • Individual grants may cover no more than 75% of the total project cost; the recipient must provide the remainder.
  • The Administrator may consider population tier when setting grant amounts.
  • No other cost estimates or total program cost information is provided in the text.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s text states its purpose is to improve urban flood mapping, make risk information transparent and widely available online, and help communities plan and design mitigation. A "sense of Congress" section in the bill encourages structural approaches to reduce damage, better public education on flood-resistant construction, and urging homeowners to use such measures when building or renovating.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.