42 U.S. Code § 4001 - Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

(a) Necessity and reasons for flood insurance program

The Congress finds that (1) from time to time flood disasters have created personal hardships and economic distress which have required unforeseen disaster relief measures and have placed an increasing burden on the Nation’s resources; (2) despite the installation of preventive and protective works and the adoption of other public programs designed to reduce losses caused by flood damage, these methods have not been sufficient to protect adequately against growing exposure to future flood losses; (3) as a matter of national policy, a reasonable method of sharing the risk of flood losses is through a program of flood insurance which can complement and encourage preventive and protective measures; and (4) if such a program is initiated and carried out gradually, it can be expanded as knowledge is gained and experience is appraised, thus eventually making flood insurance coverage available on reasonable terms and conditions to persons who have need for such protection.

(b) Participation of Federal Government in flood insurance program carried out by private insurance industry

The Congress also finds that (1) many factors have made it uneconomic for the private insurance industry alone to make flood insurance available to those in need of such protection on reasonable terms and conditions; but (2) a program of flood insurance with large-scale participation of the Federal Government and carried out to the maximum extent practicable by the private insurance industry is feasible and can be initiated.

(c) Unified national program for flood plain management

The Congress further finds that (1) a program of flood insurance can promote the public interest by providing appropriate protection against the perils of flood losses and encouraging sound land use by minimizing exposure of property to flood losses; and (2) the objectives of a flood insurance program should be integrally related to a unified national program for flood plain management and, to this end, it is the sense of Congress that within two years following the effective date of this chapter the President should transmit to the Congress for its consideration any further proposals necessary for such a unified program, including proposals for the allocation of costs among beneficiaries of flood protection.

(d) Authorization of flood insurance program; flexibility in program

It is therefore the purpose of this chapter to (1) authorize a flood insurance program by means of which flood insurance, over a period of time, can be made available on a nationwide basis through the cooperative efforts of the Federal Government and the private insurance industry, and (2) provide flexibility in the program so that such flood insurance may be based on workable methods of pooling risks, minimizing costs, and distributing burdens equitably among those who will be protected by flood insurance and the general public.

(e) Land use adjustments by State and local governments; development of proposed future construction; assistance of lending and credit institutions; relation of Federal assistance to all flood-related programs; continuing studies

It is the further purpose of this chapter to (1) encourage State and local governments to make appropriate land use adjustments to constrict the development of land which is exposed to flood damage and minimize damage caused by flood losses, (2) guide the development of proposed future construction, where practicable, away from locations which are threatened by flood hazards, (3) encourage lending and credit institutions, as a matter of national policy, to assist in furthering the objectives of the flood insurance program, (4) assure that any Federal assistance provided under the program will be related closely to all flood-related programs and activities of the Federal Government, and (5) authorize continuing studies of flood hazards in order to provide for a constant reappraisal of the flood insurance program and its effect on land use requirements.

(f) Mudslides

The Congress also finds that (1) the damage and loss which results from mudslides is related in cause and similar in effect to that which results directly from storms, deluges, overflowing waters, and other forms of flooding, and (2) the problems involved in providing protection against this damage and loss, and the possibilities for making such protection available through a Federal or federally sponsored program, are similar to those which exist in connection with efforts to provide protection against damage and loss caused by such other forms of flooding. It is therefore the further purpose of this chapter to make available, by means of the methods, procedures, and instrumentalities which are otherwise established or available under this chapter for purposes of the flood insurance program, protection against damage and loss resulting from mudslides that are caused by accumulations of water on or under the ground.

(Pub. L. 90–448, title XIII, § 1302, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 572; Pub. L. 91–152, title IV, § 409(a), Dec. 24, 1969, 83 Stat. 397; Pub. L. 93–234, title I, § 108(a), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 979; Pub. L. 103–325, title V, § 552(d), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2269.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

For effective date of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (c), see section 1377 of Pub. L. 90–448, set out as an Effective Date note below.

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (d) to (f), was in the original a reference to “this title” meaning title XIII of Pub. L. 90–448, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 572, known as the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–325 struck out subsec. (g) which read as follows: “The Congress also finds that (1) the damage and loss which may result from the erosion and undermining of shorelines by waves or currents in lakes and other bodies of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels is related in cause and similar in effect to that which results directly from storms, deluges, overflowing waters, and other forms of flooding, and (2) the problems involved in providing protection against this damage and loss, and the possibilities for making such protection available through a Federal or federally sponsored program, are similar to those which exist in connection with efforts to provide protection against damage and loss caused by such other forms of flooding. It is therefore the further purpose of this chapter to make available, by means of the methods, procedures, and instrumentalities which are otherwise established or available under this chapter for purposes of the flood insurance program, protection against damage and loss resulting from the erosion and undermining of shorelines by waves or currents in lakes and other bodies of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels.”

1973—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 93–234 added subsec. (g).

1969—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 91–152 added subsec. (f).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 90–448, title XIII, § 1377, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 589, provided that:

“This title [enacting this chapter, amending section 2414 of this title, repealing sections 2401 to 2413 and 2415 to 2421 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] shall take effect one hundred and twenty days following the date of its enactment [Aug. 1, 1968], except that the Secretary, on the basis of a finding that conditions exist necessitating the prescribing of an additional period, may prescribe a later effective date which in no event shall be more than one hundred and eighty days following such date of enactment.”

Short Title of 2019 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–19, § 1, May 31, 2019, 133 Stat. 870, provided that:

“This Act [amending sections 4016 and 4026 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4016 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2019’.”

Short Title of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–396, § 1, Dec. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5296, provided that:

“This Act [amending sections 4016 and 4026 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4016 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act’.”

Pub. L. 115–281, § 1, Dec. 1, 2018, 132 Stat. 4191, provided that:

“This Act [amending sections 4016 and 4026 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Further Extension Act of 2018’.”

Pub. L. 115–225, § 1, July 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 1624, provided that:

“This Act [amending sections 4016 and 4026 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2018’.”

Short Title of 2014 Amendment

Pub. L. 113–89, § 1(a), Mar. 21, 2014, 128 Stat. 1020, provided that:

“This Act [enacting sections 4005, 4015a, 4033, 4101d, and 4101e of this title, amending sections 4012a, 4013, 4014, 4015, 4017, 4017a, 4081, 4101b, 4102, and 4104 of this title and section 2604 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4012a, 4014, 4015, and 4102 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 4012a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014’.”

Short Title of 2012 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–141, div. F, title II, § 100201, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 916, provided that:

“This subtitle [subtitle A (§§ 100201–100249) of title II of div. F of Pub. L. 112–141, see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012’.”

Pub. L. 112–141, div. F, title II, § 100251, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 969, provided that:

“This subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 100251–100253) of title II of div. F of Pub. L. 112–141, enacting section 4057 of this title and section 3611 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters] may be cited as the ‘Consumer Option for an Alternative System to Allocate Losses Act of 2012’ or the ‘COASTAL Act of 2012’.”

Short Title of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–250, § 1, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2630, provided that:

“This Act [amending sections 4016 and 4026 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Reextension Act of 2010’.”

Pub. L. 111–196, § 1, July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1352, provided that:

“This Act [amending sections 4016 and 4026 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4016 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010’.”

Short Title of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–208, § 1, Mar. 23, 2006, 120 Stat. 317, provided that:

“This Act [amending section 4016 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Enhanced Borrowing Authority Act of 2006’.”

Short Title of 2005 Amendments

Pub. L. 109–106, § 1, Nov. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2288, provided that:

“This Act [amending section 4016 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Further Enhanced Borrowing Authority Act of 2005’.”

Pub. L. 109–65, § 1, Sept. 20, 2005, 119 Stat. 1998, provided that:

“This Act [amending section 4016 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Enhanced Borrowing Authority Act of 2005’.”

Short Title of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–264, § 1(a), June 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 712, provided that:

“This Act [enacting sections 4030 and 4102a of this title, amending sections 4011, 4015 to 4017, 4022, 4026, 4056, 4104c, 4104d, 4121, and 4127 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 4011 and 4101 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004’.”

Short Title of 2003 Amendments

Pub. L. 108–171, § 1, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2064, provided that:

“This Act [amending sections 4016, 4026, 4056, and 4127 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4016 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2004’.”

Pub. L. 108–3, § 1, Jan. 13, 2003, 117 Stat. 7, provided that:

“This Act [amending sections 4016, 4026, 4056, and 4127 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4016 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2003’.”

Short Title of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–325, title V, § 501, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2255, provided that:

“This title [enacting sections 4104b to 4104d and 5154a of this title, amending this section, sections 4003, 4011, 4012a, 4013, 4015, 4017, 4022, 4026, 4027, 4029, 4056, 4081, 4101, 4104a, 4106, 4121, and 5154 of this title, and sections 1784, 1820, 3305, and 4521 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, repealing section 4103 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 4011, 4013, 4014, 4101 to 4103, and 4104c of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 4015 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994’.”

Short Title of 1973 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–234, § 1, Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 975, provided:

“That this Act [enacting sections 4002, 4003, 4012a, 4104, 4105 to 4107, and 4128 of this title, amending this section, sections 4013 to 4016, 4026, 4054, 4056, 4101, and 4121 of this title, and sections 24 and 1709–1 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and repealing section 4021 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 90–448, title XIII, § 1301, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 572, provided that:

“This title [enacting this chapter, amending section 2414 of this title, repealing sections 2401 to 2413 and 2415 to 2421 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘National Flood Insurance Act of 1968’.”

Regulations

Pub. L. 103–325, title V, § 583, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2287, as amended by Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1410, provided that:

“The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and any appropriate Federal agency may each issue any regulations necessary to carry out the applicable provisions of this title [see Short Title of 1994 Amendment note above] and the applicable amendments made by this title.”

[For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security.]

[For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.]

Evaluation of Erosion Hazards

Pub. L. 103–325, title V, § 577(a)–(g), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2281–2283, required the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to submit a report no later than two years after Sept. 23, 1994, evaluating erosion hazards and estimating the impact of erosion on flood insurance claims.

Relation of Title V of Pub. L. 103–325 to State and Local Laws

Pub. L. 103–325, title V, § 584, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2287, provided that:

“This title [see Short Title of 1994 Amendment note above] and the amendments made by this title may not be construed to preempt, annul, alter, amend, or exempt any person from compliance with any law, ordinance, or regulation of any State or local government with respect to land use, management, or control.”

Executive Documents

Floodplain Management

For provisions relating to the reduction of the risk of flood loss, the minimization of the impact of floods on human safety, health and welfare, and the management of floodplains, see Ex. Ord. No. 11988, May 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 26951, set out as a note under section 4321 of this title.