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HR 8830

Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Quigley

Updates flood maps and data to improve accuracy and accessibility of flood risk information for homeowners and decision-makers.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8830

Overview

HR 8830, titled the Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2026, is a U.S. House bill introduced in the 119th Congress. The measure aims to advance flood risk understanding and homeowner protections by updating flood mapping, expanding access to flood data, and establishing a pilot program to empower homeowners in flood-prone areas. The bill has a co-sponsor: Rep. Mike Quigley. It was referred to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and on Financial Services.

Purpose and intent

  • Improve the accuracy and timeliness of flood hazard data used by homeowners, lenders, insurers, and local governments.
  • Provide homeowners with clearer, more actionable information about flood risk to support decisions related to property purchases, insurance, and mitigation efforts.
  • Pilot a program designed to empower homeowners to participate in flood risk mapping, risk communication, and mitigation planning, with the goal of reducing flood exposure and financial losses.

Key provisions and changes (highlights)

Note: The following provisions are typical for this type of legislation based on the bill’s title and existing congressional committee references. The exact statutory text may include additional specifics; refer to the final legislative language for precise details.

  • Flood Mapping Modernization

    • Update and modernize federal flood maps and hazard datasets to reflect current and projected flood risk.
    • Improve integration of hydrological and meteorological data, including sea-level rise, rainfall intensity, and land-use changes.
    • Enhance mapping methodologies to produce more granular, location-specific risk assessments (e.g., at the community and parcel level).

  • Homeowner Empowerment

    • Create mechanisms for homeowners to access, understand, and use flood risk information in decision-making.
    • Require user-friendly tools or platforms that translate technical flood data into actionable guidance (e.g., insurance implications, mitigation options, relocation considerations).
    • Potentially include educational resources, outreach, and notification systems to inform residents of changes in flood risk.

  • Pilot Program

    • Establish a Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program to test approaches for engaging residents in flood risk mapping and mitigation planning.
    • Define participation criteria, duration (e.g., a multi-year pilot), performance metrics, and reporting requirements.
    • Evaluate outcomes such as risk awareness, uptake of mitigation measures, insurance affordability, and impacts on property values.

  • Federal Roles and Collaboration

    • Clarify responsibilities among federal agencies (likely including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and potentially the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or others) in data collection, mapping updates, and dissemination.
    • Promote interagency coordination with state, local, and tribal governments as well as private sector or academic partners involved in flood risk analysis.

  • Privacy and Accessibility

    • Include safeguards to protect personal data while ensuring broad access to flood risk information.
    • Ensure information is accessible to diverse audiences, possibly including multilingual resources.

Who would be affected

  • Homeowners and property buyers in flood-prone areas who would gain access to updated flood risk information and decision-support tools.
  • Lenders, insurers, and real estate professionals who rely on flood hazard data for underwriting, pricing, and disclosures.
  • Local and state governments that use flood maps for land-use planning, permitting, and disaster preparedness.
  • Federal agencies involved in flood mapping and hazard communication, which would implement modernization efforts and manage the pilot program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred on May 14, 2026, to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and to the Committee on Financial Services for consideration of provisions within their jurisdiction.
  • Committee process: As with most bills, adoption depends on committee consideration, potential amendments, and reporting out to the full House.
  • Pilot program timeline: If enacted, the bill would likely authorize a multi-year pilot with defined milestones, reporting requirements to Congress, and an evaluation framework to assess impact before broader implementation.

Potential impact

  • Improved risk transparency for homeowners and buyers, potentially influencing mortgage eligibility, insurance costs, and mitigation investments.
  • More accurate flood maps could inform zoning, building codes, and resilience planning at the local level.
  • The pilot could yield data on effective homeowner engagement strategies and best practices for integrating resident input into flood risk management.

For a precise understanding, consult the bill’s full text and any accompanying committee reports or fiscal notes to confirm exact provisions, funding levels, and implementation timelines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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