,,ib ,union ,calendar ,no4 #aff #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bhge ,report ,no4 #aae-bcc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #ab1 #bjag ,ms4 ,velzquez introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,financial ,services ,july #ah1 #bjag;,additional sponsors3 ,mr4 ,meeks1 ,mrs4 ,carolyn ,b4 ,maloney of ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,zeldin1 and ,ms4 ,slaughter ,july #ah1 #bjag ,committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union and ordered to be printed ,a ,,bill ,to make administrative reforms to the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program to increase fairness and accuracy and protect the taxpayer from program fraud and abuse1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program ,administrative ,reform ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,increased cost of compliance coverage 7a7 ,coverage of properties at high risk of future flood damage ,subsection 7b7 of section #acjd of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djaa7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d7 as clauses 7i7 through 7iv71 respectively1 and realigning such clauses1 as so redesignated1 so as to be indented #f ems from the left margin2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#d7 as subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d71 respectively1 and realigning such subparagraphs1 as so redesignated1 so as to be indented #d ems from the left margin2 7#c7 by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through ,the national and inserting the following3 7b7 ,additional coverage for compliance with land use and control measures 7#a7 ,authority2 eligible properties ,the national 2 7#d7 in subparagraph 7,c7 7as so redesignated by paragraph 7#b7 of this subsection71 by striking ,fund and all that follows and inserting ,fund to require the implementation of such measures22 7#e7 in subparagraph 7,d77iv7 7as so redesignated by paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of this subsection71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#f7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs3 7,e7 properties that have been identified by the ,administrator1 or by a community in accordance with such requirements as the ,administrator shall establish1 as at a high risk of future flood damage2 and 7,f7 properties that are located within an area identified pursuant to section #acfa7;e77#a77;,a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dajb7;e77#a77;,a77 by a covered community 7as such term is defined in paragraph 7#c7 of such section #acfa7;e774 4 7b7 ,coverage amount ,section #acjd7;b7 of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djaa7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7 7as so designated by subsection 7a77#c7 of this section71 by striking the last sentence 7relating to a surcharge72 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#b7 ,coverage amount 7,a7 ,primary coverage ,each policy for flood insurance coverage made available under this title shall provide coverage under this subsection having an aggregate liability for any single property of #cj1jjj4 7,b7 ,enhanced coverage ,the ,administrator shall make additional coverage available under this subsection1 in excess of the limit specified in subparagraph 7,a71 having an aggregate liability for any single property of up to #fj1jjj4 4 7c7 ,amount of surcharge ,subsection 7b7 of section #acjd of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djaa7;b771 as amended by the preceding provisions of this section1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,surcharge for coverage 7,a7 ,primary coverage ,the ,administrator shall impose a surcharge on each insured of such amount per policy as the ,administrator determines is appropriate to provide cost of compliance coverage in accordance with paragraph 7#b77;,a74 7,b7 ,enhanced coverage ,for each flood policy for flood insurance coverage under this title under which additional cost of compliance coverage is provided pursuant to paragraph 7#b77;,b71 the ,administrator shall impose a surcharge1 in addition to the surcharge under subparagraph 7,a7 of this paragraph1 in such amount as the ,administrator determines is appropriate for the amount of such coverage provided4 4 7d7 ,use of certain materials ,subsection 7b7 of section #acjd of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djaa7;b771 as amended by the preceding provisions of this section1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,use of certain materials ,the ,administrator shall require that any measures implemented using amounts made available from coverage provided pursuant to this subsection be carried out using materials1 identified by the ,administrator1 that minimize the impact of flooding on the usability of the covered property and reduce the duration that flooding renders the property unusable or uninhabitable4 4 7e7 ,continued flood insurance requirement ,subsection 7b7 of section #acjd of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djaa7;b771 as amended by the preceding provisions of this section1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,continued flood insurance requirement ,the ,administrator may require1 as a condition of providing cost of compliance coverage under this subsection for a property1 that the owner of the property enter into such binding agreements as the ,administrator considers necessary to ensure that the owner of the property 7and any subsequent owners7 will maintain flood insurance coverage under this title for the property in such amount1 and at all times during a period having such duration1 as the ,administrator considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection4 4 #c4 ,pilot program for properties with preexisting conditions ,section #acaa of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djah7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,pilot program for investigation of preexisting structural conditions 7#a7 ,voluntary program ,the ,administrator shall carry out a pilot program under this subsection to provide for companies participating in the ,write ,your ,own program 7as such term is defined in section #acgj7;a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #daba7;a777 to investigate preexisting structural conditions of insured properties and potentially insured properties that could result in the denial of a claim under a policy for flood insurance coverage under this title in the event of a flood loss to such property4 ,participation in the pilot program shall be voluntary on the part of ,write ,your ,own companies4 7#b7 ,investigation of properties ,under the pilot program under this subsection1 a ,write ,your ,own company participating in the program shall-- 7,a7 provide in policies for flood insurance coverage under this title covered by the program that1 upon the request of the policyholder1 the company shall provide for-- 7i7 an investigation of the property covered by such policy1 using common methods1 to determine whether preexisting structural conditions are present that could result in the denial of a claim under such policy for flood losses2 and 7ii7 if such investigation is not determinative1 an on-site inspection of the property to determine whether such preexisting structural conditions are present2 7,b7 upon completion of an investigation or inspection pursuant to subparagraph 7,a7 that determines that such a preexisting structural condition is present or absent1 submit a report to the policyholder and ,administrator describing the condition2 and 7,c7 impose a surcharge on each policy described in subparagraph 7,a7 in such amount that the ,administrator determines is appropriate to cover the costs of investigations and inspections performed pursuant to such policies and reimburse ,write ,your ,own companies participating in the program under this subsection for such costs4 7#c7 ,interim report ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjba1 the ,administrator shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate describing the operation of the pilot program to that date4 7#d7 ,sunset ,the ,administrator may not provide any policy for flood insurance described in paragraph 7#b77;,a7 after ,december #ca1 #bjbb4 7#e7 ,final report ,not later than ,march #ca1 #bjbc1 the ,administrator shall submit a final report regarding the pilot program under this section to the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate4 ,the report shall include any findings and recommendations of the ,administrator regarding the pilot program4 4 #d4 ,penalties for fraud and false statements in the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program ,part ,c of chapter #b of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djha et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #acdi4 ,penalties for fraud and false statements in the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program 7a7 ,prohibited acts ,a person shall not knowingly make a false or misleading statement1 production1 or submission in connection with the proving or adjusting of a claim for flood insurance coverage made available under this ,act4 ,such prohibited acts include-- 7#a7 knowingly forging an engineering report1 claims adjustment report or technical assistance report used to support a claim determination2 7#b7 knowingly making any materially false1 fictitious1 or fraudulent statement or representation in an engineering report1 claims adjustment report1 or technical assistance report to support a claim determination2 7#c7 knowingly submitting a materially false1 fictitious1 or fraudulent claim4 7b7 ,civil enforcement ,the ,attorney ,general may bring a civil action for such relief as may be appropriate whenever it appears that any person has violated or is about to violate any provision of this section4 ,such action may be brought in an appropriate ,united ,states district court4 7c7 ,referral to ,attorney ,general ,the ,administrator shall expeditiously refer to the ,attorney ,general for appropriate action any evidence developed in the performance of functions under this ,act that may warrant consideration for criminal or civil prosecution4 7d7 ,penalties 7#a7 ,civil monetary penalty ,any person who violates subsection 7a7 shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than #aj1jjj for each violation1 which shall be deposited into the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,fund established under section #acaj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djag74 7#b7 ,suspension and debarment ,any person who violates subsection 7a7 shall not be eligible1 for a period of not less than #b years and not to exceed #e years1 to-- 7,a7 receive flood insurance coverage pursuant to this title2 or 7,b7 provide services in connection with the selling1 servicing1 or handling of claims for flood insurance policies provided pursuant to this title4 7#c7 ,other penalties ,the penalties provided for in this subsection shall be in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty available under law4 4 #e4 ,enhanced policyholder appeals process rights 7a7 ,establishment ,part ,c of chapter ,,ii of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djha et seq471 as amended by the preceding provisions of this ,act1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #acej4 ,approval of decisions relating to flood insurance coverage 7a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall establish an appeals process to enable holders of a flood insurance policy provided under this title to appeal the decisions of their insurer1 with respect to the disallowance1 in whole or in part1 of any claims for proved and approved losses covered by flood insurance4 ,such appeals shall be limited to the claim or portion of the claim disallowed by the insurer4 7b7 ,appeal decision ,upon a decision in an appeal under subsection 7a71 the ,administrator shall provide the policyholder with a written appeal decision4 ,the appeal decision shall explain the ,administrator's determination to uphold or overturn the decision of the flood insurer4 ,the ,administrator may direct the flood insurer to take action necessary to resolve the appeal1 to include re-inspection1 re-adjustment1 or payment1 as appropriate4 7c7 ,rules of construction ,this section shall not be construed as-- 7#a7 making the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency or the ,administrator a party to the flood insurance contract2 or 7#b7 creating any action or remedy not otherwise provided by this title4 4 7b7 ,repeal ,section #bje of the ,bunning-,blumenauer-,bereuter ,flood ,insurance ,reform ,act of #bjjd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djaa note7 is hereby repealed4 #f4 ,deadline for approval of claims 7a7 ,in general ,section #acab of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djai7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking ,the ,administrator and inserting ,subject to other provisions of this section1 the ,administrator2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,deadline for approval of claims 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall provide that1 in the case of any claim for damage to or loss of property under flood insurance coverage made available under this title1 a final determination regarding approval of a claim for payment or disapproval of the claim be made1 and notification of such determination be provided to the insured making such claim1 not later than the expiration of the #ij-;day period 7as such period may be extended pursuant to paragraph 7#b77 beginning upon the day on which such claim was made4 ,payment of approved claims shall be made as soon as possible after such approval4 7#b7 ,extension of deadline ,the ,administrator shall provide that the period referred to in paragraph 7#a7 may be extended by a single additional period of #ae days in cases where extraordinary circumstances are demonstrated4 ,the ,administrator shall1 by regulation1 establish criteria for demonstrating such extraordinary circumstances and for determining to which claims such extraordinary circumstances apply4 4 7b7 ,applicability ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall apply to any claim under flood insurance coverage made available under the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djja et seq47 pending on the date of the enactment of this ,act and any claims made after such date of enactment4 #g4 ,litigation process oversight and reform 7a7 ,in general ,part ,c of chapter ,,ii of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djha et seq471 as amended by the preceding provisions of this ,act1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #acea4 ,oversight of litigation 7a7 ,oversight ,the ,administrator shall monitor and oversee litigation conducted by ,write ,your ,own companies arising under contracts for flood insurance sold pursuant to this title1 to ensure that-- 7#a7 litigation expenses are reasonable1 appropriate1 and cost-effective2 and 7#b7 ,write ,your ,own companies comply with guidance and procedures established by the ,administrator regarding the conduct of litigation4 7b7 ,denial of reimbursement for expenses ,the ,administrator may deny reimbursement for litigation expenses that are determined to be unreasonable1 excessive1 contrary to guidance issued by the ,administrator1 or outside the scope of any arrangement entered into with a ,write ,your ,own company4 7c7 ,litigation strategy ,the ,administrator may direct litigation strategy for claims arising under a contract for flood insurance sold by a ,write ,your ,own company4 7d7 ,substitution ,if at any time1 the ,administrator determines there is a conflict of interest between the ,write ,your ,own company and the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program1 or it is in the best interest of the ,united ,states1 the ,administrator may promptly take any necessary action to be substituted for the ,,wyo company in any action arising out of any claim arising under a contract for flood insurance sold by a ,write ,your ,own company4 4 7b7 ,implementation ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall initiate compliance with section #aceb7;d7 of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh1 as added by the amendment made by subsection 7a7 of this section1 not later than the expiration of the #ab-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #h4 ,prohibition on hiring disbarred attorneys ,part ,c of chapter ,,ii of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djha et seq471 as amended by the preceding provisions of this ,act1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #aceb4 ,prohibition on hiring disbarred attorneys ,the ,administrator may not at any time newly employ in connection with the flood insurance program under this title any attorney who has been suspended or disbarred by any court1 bar1 or ,federal or ,state agency to which the individual was previously admitted to practice4 4 #i4 ,underpayment of claims by ,write ,your ,own companies ,section #acde of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djha7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7f7 ,underpayment of claims by ,,wyo companies ,the ,administrator shall establish penalties for companies participating in the ,write ,your ,own program knowingly underpaying claims for losses covered by flood insurance made available under this title1 which penalties shall be commensurate1 with respect to the amount of the penalty1 to the penalties applicable to overpayment of such claims by a similar amount by such companies4 4 #aj4 ,technical assistance reports 7a7 ,use ,section #acab of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djai71 as amended by the preceding provisions of this ,act1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 ,use of technical assistance reports ,when adjusting claims for any damage to or loss of property which is covered by flood insurance made available under this title1 the ,administrator may rely upon technical assistance reports1 as such term is defined in section #acab;,a1 only if such reports are final and are prepared in compliance with applicable ,state and ,federal laws regarding professional licensure and conduct4 4 7b7 ,disclosure ,the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh is amended by inserting after section #acab 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djai7 the following new section3 #acab;,a4 ,disclosure of technical assistance reports 7a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding section #eeb;a of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 upon request by a policyholder1 the ,administrator shall provide a true1 complete1 and unredacted copy of any technical assistance report that the ,administrator relied upon in adjusting and paying for any damage to or loss of property insured by the policyholder and covered by flood insurance made available under this title4 ,such disclosures shall be in addition to any other right of disclosure otherwise made available pursuant such section #eeb;a or any other provision of law4 7b7 ,direct disclosure by ,write ,your ,own companies and direct servicing agents ,a ,write ,your ,own company or direct servicing agent in possession of a technical assistance report subject to disclosure under subsection 7a7 may disclose such technical assistance report without further review or approval by the ,administrator4 7c7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this section1 the following definitions shall apply3 7#a7 ,policyholder ,the term policyholder means a person or persons shown as an insured on the declarations page of a policy for flood insurance coverage sold pursuant to this title4 7#b7 ,technical assistance report ,the term technical assistance report means a report created for the purpose of furnishing technical assistance to an insurance claims adjuster assigned by the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program1 including by engineers1 surveyors1 salvors1 architects1 and certified public accounts4 4 #aa4 ,improved disclosure requirement for standard flood insurance policies ,section #ajjbcd of the ,biggert-,waters ,flood ,insurance ,reform ,act of #bjab 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djac;a7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections3 7c7 ,disclosure of coverage 7#a7 ,disclosure sheet ,each policy under the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program shall include a disclosure sheet that sets forth1 in plain language-- 7,a7 the definition of the term flood for purposes of coverage under the policy2 7,b7 a description of what type of flood forces are necessary so that losses from an event are covered under the policy1 including overflow of inland or tidal waves1 unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of a surface any source1 and mudflow2 7,c7 a statement of the types and characteristics of losses that are not covered under the policy2 7,d7 a summary of total cost and amount of insurance coverage1 and any other information relating to such coverage required to be disclosed under section #acjh7l7 of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djae7l772 7,e7 a statement that the disclosure sheet provides general information about the policyholder's standard flood insurance policy2 7,f7 a statement that the standard flood insurance policy1 together with the application1 endorsements1 and declarations page1 make up the official contract and are controlling in the event that there is any difference between the information on the disclosure sheet and the information in the policy2 and 7,g7 a statement that if the policyholder has any questions regarding information in the disclosure sheet or policy he or she should contact the entity selling the policy on behalf of the ,program1 together with contact information sufficient to allow the policyholder to contact such entity4 7#b7 ,acknowledgment sheet ,each policy under the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program shall include an acknowledgment sheet that sets forth1 in plain language-- 7,a7 a statement of whether or not there is a basement in the property to be covered by the policy2 7,b7 a statement of whether or not the policy provides coverage for the contents of the property covered by the policy2 7,c7 a statement that the standard flood insurance policy1 together with the application1 endorsements1 and declarations page1 make up the official contract and are controlling in the event that there is any difference between the information on the acknowledgment sheet and the information in the policy2 and 7,d7 a statement that if the policyholder has any questions regarding information in the acknowledgment sheet or policy he or she should contact the entity selling the policy on behalf of the ,program1 together with contact information sufficient to allow the policyholder to contact such entity4 7#c7 ,required signatures ,notwithstanding section #acjf7;c7 of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djac7;c771 a policy for flood insurance coverage under the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program may not take effect unless the disclosure sheet required under paragraph 7#a7 and the acknowledgment sheet required under paragraph 7#b71 with respect to the policy1 are signed and dated by the policyholder and the seller of the policy who is acting on behalf of the ,program4 4 #ab4 ,reserve ,fund amounts ,section #acaj of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djag7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7g7 ,crediting of ,reserve ,fund amounts ,funds collected pursuant to section #acaj;,a may be credited to the ,fund under this section to be available for the purpose described in subsection 7d77#a74 4 #ac4 ,sufficient staffing for ,office of ,flood ,insurance ,advocate 7a7 ,in general ,section #bd of the ,homeowner ,flood ,insurance ,affordability ,act of #bjad 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djcc7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,staff ,the ,administrator shall ensure that the ,flood ,insurance ,advocate has sufficient staff to carry out all of the duties and responsibilities of the ,advocate under this section4 4 7b7 ,timing ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall take such actions as may be necessary to provide for full compliance with section #bd7;c7 of the ,homeowner ,flood ,insurance ,affordability ,act of #bjad1 as added by the amendment made by subsection 7a7 of this section1 not later than the expiration of the #ahj-;day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ad4 ,federal ,flood ,insurance ,advisory ,committee 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established an advisory committee to be known as the ,federal ,flood ,insurance ,advisory ,committee 7in this section referred to as the ,committee74 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,members ,the ,committee shall consist of-- 7,a7 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency 7in this section referred to as the ,administrator71 or the designee thereof2 7,b7 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 or the designee thereof2 and 7,c7 additional members appointed by the ,administrator or the designee of the ,administrator1 who shall be-- 7i7 two representatives of the property and casualty insurance sector2 7ii7 one individual who served in the past1 or is currently serving1 as an insurance regulator of a ,state1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 the ,virgin ,islands1 ,american ,samoa1 or any federally-recognized ,indian tribe2 7iii7 one representative of the financial or insurance sectors who is involved in risk transfers1 including reinsurance1 resilience bonds1 and other insurance-linked securities2 7iv7 one actuary with demonstrated high-level knowledge of catastrophic risk insurance2 7v7 two insurance professionals with demonstrated experience with the sale of flood insurance under the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program2 7vi7 two representatives of catastrophic risk insurance programs2 7vii7 one insurance claims specialist2 7viii7 one representative of a recognized consumer advocacy organization2 7ix7 one individual having demonstrated expertise in the challenges in insuring low-income communities2 7x7 one representative from an academic institution who has demonstrated expertise in insurance2 and 7xi7 such other recognized experts in the field of insurance as the ,administrator considers necessary4 7#b7 ,qualifications ,in appointing members under paragraph 7#a77;,c71 the ,administrator shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 ensure the membership of the ,committee has a balance of members reflecting geographic diversity1 including representation from areas inland or with coastline identified by the ,administrator as at high risk for flooding or as areas having special flood hazards4 7c7 ,duties ,the ,committee shall review1 and make recommendations to the ,administrator1 upon request1 on matters related to the insurance aspects of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program1 including ratemaking1 technology to administer insurance1 risk assessment1 actuarial practices1 claims practices1 sales and insurance delivery1 compensation and allowances1 generally and based on the complexities of the program1 and best insurance practices4 7d7 ,chairperson ,the members of the ,committee shall elect one member to serve as the chairperson of the ,committee 7in this section referred to as the ,chairperson74 7e7 ,compensation ,members of the ,committee shall receive no additional compensation by reason of their service on the ,committee4 7f7 ,meetings and actions 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,committee shall meet not less frequently than twice each year at the request of the ,chairperson or a majority of its members1 and may take action by a vote of the majority of the members in accordance with the ,committee's charter4 7#b7 ,initial meeting ,the ,administrator1 or a person designated by the ,administrator1 shall request and coordinate the initial meeting of the ,committee4 7g7 ,staff of ,,fema ,upon the request of the ,chairperson1 the ,administrator may detail1 on a nonreimbursable basis1 personnel of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency to assist the ,committee in carrying out its duties4 7h7 ,powers ,in carrying out this section1 the ,committee may hold hearings1 receive evidence and assistance1 provide information1 and conduct research1 as it considers appropriate4 7i7 ,reports to ,congress ,the ,administrator1 on an annual basis1 shall report to the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate1 and the ,office of ,management and ,budget on-- 7#a7 the recommendations made by the ,committee2 7#b7 actions taken by the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency to address such recommendations to improve the insurance aspects of the national flood insurance program2 and 7#c7 any recommendations made by the ,committee that have been deferred or not acted upon1 together with an explanatory statement4 #ae4 ,interagency guidance on compliance ,the ,federal entities for lending regulation 7as such term is defined in section #c7;a7 of the ,flood ,disaster ,protection ,act of #aigc 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djjc7;a7771 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 shall update and reissue the document entitled ,interagency ,questions and ,answers ,regarding ,flood ,insurance not later than the expiration of the #ab-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act and not less frequently than biennially thereafter4 #af4 ,,gao study of claims adjustment practices ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a study of the policies and practices for adjustment of claims for losses under flood insurance coverage made available under the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act1 which shall include-- 7#a7 a comparison of such policies and practices with the policies and practices for adjustment of claims for losses under other insurance coverage2 7#b7 an assessment of the quality of the adjustments conducted and the effects of such policies and practices on such quality2 7#c7 identification of any incentives under such policies and practices that affect the speed with which such adjustments are conducted2 and 7#d7 identification of the affects of such policies and practices on insureds submitting such claims for losses4 ,not later than the expiration of the #ah-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate regarding the findings and conclusions of the study conducted pursuant to this section4 #ag4 ,,gao study of flood insurance coverage treatment of earth movement ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a study of the treatment1 under flood insurance coverage made available under the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act1 of earth movement and subsidence1 including earth movement and subsidence caused by flooding1 which shall include-- 7#a7 identification and analysis of the effects of such treatment on the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program and insureds under the program2 7#b7 an assessment of the availability and affordability of coverage in the private insurance market for earth movement and subsidence caused by flooding2 7#c7 an assessment of the effects on the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program of covering earth movement and subsidence caused by flooding2 and 7#d7 a projection of the increased premiums that would be required to make coverage for earth movement losses actuarially sound and not fiscally detrimental to the continuation of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,program4 ,not later than the expiration of the #ah-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate regarding the findings and conclusions of the study conducted pursuant to this section4 #ah4 ,definitions 7a7 ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh ,subsection 7a7 of section #acgj of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #daba7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#ad71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#ae71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#af7 the term ,write ,your ,own ,program means the program under which the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency enters into a standard arrangement with private property insurance companies to sell contracts for flood insurance coverage under this title under their own business lines of insurance1 and to adjust and pay claims arising under such contracts2 and 7#ag7 the term ,write ,your ,own company means a private property insurance company that participates in the ,write ,your ,own ,program4 4 7b7 ,biggert-,waters ,flood ,insurance ,reform ,act of #bjab ,subsection 7a7 of section #ajjbjb of the ,biggert-,waters ,flood ,insurance ,reform ,act of #bjab 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djjd7;a77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#e7 and inserting the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,write ,your ,own ,the terms ,write ,your ,own ,program and ,write ,your ,own company have the meanings given such terms in section #acgj7;a7 of the ,national ,flood ,insurance ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #daba7;a774 4 ,july #ah1 #bjag ,committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union and ordered to be printed