[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 86 (Friday, June 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1182-E1183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM FAIRNESS ACT OF 
                                  2000

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2000

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the National Flood 
Insurance Program

[[Page E1183]]

Fairness Act of 2000. This February many of my constituents were placed 
into a special hazard flood zone, a designation which necessitated the 
purchase of flood insurance. These residents were not notified that 
they would be required to purchase flood insurance until two months or 
less before the maps became effective, even though the law is supposed 
to give them six months notice. This exacerbated an already difficult 
situation, as residents who had not seen flooding in decades or a 
lifetime had little notice to purchase costly insurance.
  Several residents who did not believe they were in the flood zone 
hired a surveyor at their own expense. The data provided by this 
private surveyor resulted in their homes being removed from the special 
hazard flood zone. While these residents were not required to purchase 
flood insurance, they did spend over $200 each for the surveyor. They 
were told by FEMA that they were responsible for that expense, even 
though the mistaken flood zone classification was made by the county 
engineers.
  Clearly the national flood insurance program needs to be revised to 
give homeowners more notice and due process. That's why I am proposing 
this legislation.
  The National Flood Insurance Program Fairness Act of 2000 would do 
the following: Require the FEMA Director to notify by registered mail 
the Chief Executive Officer of each community affected by changes in 
Flood Insurance Rate Maps. The Director will be required to provide a 
copy of the revised map, along with a statement explaining the process 
of appeal. The director will also provide the affected community 
sufficient information to identify which homes are affected. Require 
the Director to notify by registered mail the Chief Executive Officer 
of each community of FEMA's response to the community's appeal of the 
flood insurance rate maps. Require the Director to notify by first 
class mail each owner of property affected by the changes in the flood 
insurance rate maps. Require FEMA to reimburse a resident for 
reasonable costs incurred in connection with a surveyor or engineer for 
an appeal to the Director which is successful. This does not include 
legal services incurred by the resident.
  It is my hope that the legislation will allow communities to better 
work with FEMA to ensure that residents are given sufficient, fair, and 
timely notice if they will be required to purchase flood insurance.

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