Overview
Title
To amend the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 to improve mapping under the National Flood Insurance Program, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill S. 3650 wants to make flood maps better by using up-to-date maps and information from different agencies to show where floods might happen, including showing where houses and other places are. This will help people know if they need to get flood insurance to protect their homes.
Summary AI
S. 3650 aims to improve the accuracy of flood maps under the National Flood Insurance Program by amending the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. This bill proposes that agencies like the Department of Defense and the United States Geological Survey share their most current maps and data to enhance flood mapping. It also requires the inclusion of features like property information and addresses on these maps. Additionally, the bill mandates that the flood maps be updated using the latest geospatial data following the modernization of the National Spatial Reference System.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the “Flood Insurance Rate Map Interagency Technology Act of 2024” or the “FIRM IT Act of 2024,” aims to amend the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. Its primary objective is to enhance the mapping conducted under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This enhancement will be achieved by obtaining the most current maps and data from several federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Additionally, the bill calls for including more detailed property boundary data, known as cadastral features, in flood maps. Finally, it mandates updates to these maps to ensure they align with contemporary geospatial standards.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill introduces several significant issues. Firstly, the requirement for coordination among multiple agencies, including the Department of Defense, may pose security risks due to the exchange of potentially sensitive geographical data. Secondly, the integration of data from various government bodies is expected to increase both the complexity and cost of implementing these changes. There are also concerns related to the possible bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies that could arise from inter-agency coordination. Furthermore, the terms such as "cadastral features" might be confusing to the general public, implying a need for clearer language or explanatory notes. The specified timeline for updating maps could be affected by delays in the modernization projects they depend upon. Lastly, using both public and private sector address data raises potential privacy concerns.
Impact on the Public
The primary impact on the general public would be a potential improvement in the accuracy and reliability of flood maps, which in turn could lead to more precise flood insurance pricing and risk assessments. Homeowners living in flood-prone areas could benefit from a clearer understanding of their risk levels, possibly leading to more informed decisions regarding flood insurance and property management. Conversely, the increased operational costs required to implement the proposed changes might inadvertently raise costs for policyholders if these expenses are passed on through insurance premiums.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The bill is likely to have significant implications for various stakeholders:
Federal Agencies: Agencies such as the Department of Defense, US Geological Survey, and NOAA might face increased workloads and responsibilities due to their involvement in the updated mapping process. This could strain resources and require additional funding or personnel.
Insurance Companies and Policyholders: Insurance companies might reassess their risk models based on more accurate flood maps, potentially leading to adjustments in their insurance offerings and premiums. Policyholders could face changes in their insurance costs, influenced by the revised risk assessments.
Geographical Data Specialists: Specialists in geospatial and cadastral information might experience heightened demand for their expertise. The need for precise and accurate data will likely require skilled professionals to ensure successful implementation.
Privacy Advocates and Data Providers: Privacy advocates might scrutinize the method and scope of data usage, particularly regarding the combination of public and private sector address data. Ensuring data privacy while maintaining accurate mapping could present a challenge.
In conclusion, while the bill introduces well-intentioned improvements to the National Flood Insurance Program's mapping process, it also presents significant challenges related to implementation, cost, and data security. These factors will require careful management to realize the intended benefits of more precise and actionable flood risk assessments.
Issues
The requirement to consult and coordinate with agencies like the Department of Defense, United States Geological Survey, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Section 2(a)(1)(D) might introduce security concerns due to sharing sensitive geographical data.
The amendments in Section 2 require significant data integration across various agencies, potentially elevating costs and operational complexity.
The language related to 'cadastral features' and 'cadastral feature data', as noted in Section 2(a)(2)(E)(ii), may be unclear to those unfamiliar with geographical or cadastral terminology, suggesting a need for further clarification to ensure broad understanding.
Coordination with multiple federal agencies as outlined in Section 2 could lead to bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies, potentially affecting the timely execution of the National Flood Mapping Program.
The mandate in Section 2(b)(3)(D) for updating rate maps not later than five years after the National Geodetic Survey completes the modernization of the National Spatial Reference System might not account for unforeseen delays in completing this project, thereby complicating implementation timelines.
The use of both public and private sector address data, mentioned in Section 2(a)(2)(E)(ii)(II), raises concerns regarding data privacy and the source and accuracy of such data.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this bill specifies its title, which can be formally referred to as the "Flood Insurance Rate Map Interagency Technology Act of 2024" or simply the "FIRM IT Act of 2024".
2. National Flood Mapping Program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 to improve flood maps by coordinating with various agencies for updated data on topography and water flow, and potentially including additional cadastral details and parcel information. It also mandates that flood maps be updated to align with new geospatial data systems by a certain deadline and meet accuracy standards for geographic information systems.