Sponsors (9)
The bill makes it easier and cheaper for communities to do floodplain and ecosystem restoration by permitting modest increases in base flood elevations and speeding federal guidance, but that benefit comes with added local administrative costs and the risk of higher flood exposure and insurance costs for some property owners.
Local and rural communities can carry out ecosystem and floodplain restoration projects that are allowed to increase the base flood elevation by up to 1 foot, enabling improved habitat and greater floodplain function that can boost long‑term flood resilience.
Local governments and property owners requesting map changes for approved ecosystem restoration projects pay no FEMA review or processing fees, lowering financial barriers to updating flood maps.
State and local governments benefit from a requirement that FEMA issue implementing guidance within 180 days (after consulting natural resource agencies), providing clearer federal direction and faster uptake of restoration projects.
Homeowners in areas where base flood elevations rise up to 1 foot may face higher flood risk and potentially higher flood insurance premiums if their properties are affected.
Local and state governments must demonstrate that no insurable structures or critical infrastructure are adversely impacted and submit technical analyses within 180 days, creating additional administrative and engineering costs for communities.
If FEMA allows increases greater than 1 foot in some cases, nearby properties and infrastructure (including utilities and hospitals) could experience higher flood elevations and greater uncertainty for residents and planners.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows certain ecosystem restoration projects in floodways to raise BFEs up to one foot (or more with FEMA approval), waives related map-change fees, and requires post-project analysis and FEMA guidance.
Introduced November 21, 2025 by Troy Downing · Last progress November 21, 2025
Creates a new category called “ecosystem restoration projects” for floodplain work and lets communities move forward with certain restoration activities without paying FEMA fees for map-change requests tied to those projects. The bill allows limited increases to base flood elevations in regulatory floodways (up to one foot, or more if FEMA approves) so long as no insurable structures or critical infrastructure are made worse, requires communities to submit an analysis within 180 days after project completion, and directs FEMA to issue guidance after consulting natural resource agencies within 180 days of enactment.