Keeping Homeownership Costs Down Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 3800
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 3800Finance and Financial Sector
Keeping Homeownership Costs Down Act
INTRO JUN 6· LAST ACTION JUN 6
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
3BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
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This bill matters to voters because it could directly impact the cost of flood insurance and the speed at which homeowners can realize savings. When a property owner invests in elevating their land with fill to reduce flood risk, they often seek updated flood maps to reflect this improved safety and, consequently, lower their insurance premiums. Delays in getting these map revisions approved and issued can mean homeowners continue to pay higher premiums for longer, even if their property is now safer.
If this bill becomes law, it would prevent FEMA from delaying these specific map revisions, potentially allowing homeowners to access lower insurance rates more quickly. If it doesn't become law, the current practice of FEMA deferring these issuances could continue, leading to ongoing administrative bottlenecks and potentially higher flood insurance costs for affected property owners who have mitigated their flood risk. The temporary nature of the bill also highlights an ongoing tension between flood insurance policy and environmental regulations.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Prohibits FEMA from deferring the issuance of Letters of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-F) and Conditional Letters of Map Revision based on fill (CLOMR-F).
This prevents delays in the final administrative step for flood map changes related to elevated land, potentially allowing homeowners to get lower flood insurance premiums faster.
PROVISION 02
Clarifies that this prohibition does not affect FEMA's ability to review, determine, or ultimately issue these letters.
This ensures that FEMA still conducts proper due diligence and technical analysis before approving flood map changes.
PROVISION 03
Includes a sunset provision, stating the amendment will be repealed once FEMA fully implements the requirements of specific biological opinions under the Endangered Species Act.
This makes the bill's changes temporary and links its duration to the completion of specific environmental compliance actions by FEMA.
This bill matters to voters because it could directly impact the cost of flood insurance and the speed at which homeowners can realize savings. When a property owner invests in elevating their land with fill to reduce flood risk, they often seek updated flood maps to reflect this improved safety and, consequently, lower their insurance premiums. Delays in getting these map revisions approved and issued can mean homeowners continue to pay higher premiums for longer, even if their property is now safer.
If this bill becomes law, it would prevent FEMA from delaying these specific map revisions, potentially allowing homeowners to access lower insurance rates more quickly. If it doesn't become law, the current practice of FEMA deferring these issuances could continue, leading to ongoing administrative bottlenecks and potentially higher flood insurance costs for affected property owners who have mitigated their flood risk. The temporary nature of the bill also highlights an ongoing tension between flood insurance policy and environmental regulations.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Prohibits FEMA from deferring the issuance of Letters of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-F) and Conditional Letters of Map Revision based on fill (CLOMR-F).
This prevents delays in the final administrative step for flood map changes related to elevated land, potentially allowing homeowners to get lower flood insurance premiums faster.
med
Clarifies that this prohibition does not affect FEMA's ability to review, determine, or ultimately issue these letters.
This ensures that FEMA still conducts proper due diligence and technical analysis before approving flood map changes.
high
Includes a sunset provision, stating the amendment will be repealed once FEMA fully implements the requirements of specific biological opinions under the Endangered Species Act.
This makes the bill's changes temporary and links its duration to the completion of specific environmental compliance actions by FEMA.
Upon full implementation of specified biological opinions (no specific calendar date)
The amendment made by this Act shall be repealed on the date on which the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency fully implements the requirements contained within the biological opinion from the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the biological opinion from the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued separately with respect to letters of map revision based on the placement of fill and conditional letters of map revision based on the placement of fill.
GLOSSARY
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National Flood Insurance Act of 1968
The federal law that established the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes flood insurance available to property owners in participating communities.
Administrator
Refers to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the head of the agency responsible for managing the National Flood Insurance Program.
Deferral
To postpone or put off the issuance of an official document or decision.
Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)
An official letter from FEMA that updates or changes a portion of an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
Letter of Map Revision based on the Placement of Fill (LOMR-F)
A specific type of official letter from FEMA that revises a flood map to reflect changes in ground elevation due to the addition of fill dirt, which can remove properties from flood hazard areas.
Conditional Letter of Map Revision based on the Placement of Fill (CLOMR-F)
An official letter from FEMA stating that a proposed project, which includes adding fill to land, would result in a revised flood map if the project were built as planned. It's a preliminary review before construction.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JUN 6, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JUN 6, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
A document issued by federal wildlife agencies (like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries) that states whether a proposed federal action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.
