Troy Downing (R-MT)
Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act
A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act," seeks to amend the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. It introduces specific provisions regarding ecosystem restoration projects, which are defined as projects aimed at recovering or improving the functions of aquatic resources or floodplains. The bill provides exemptions from review or processing fees for flood insurance rate map change requests related to these projects. It also allows communities to permit certain projects within regulatory floodways even if they increase base flood elevations, provided specific conditions are met. Additionally, it mandates that the FEMA Administrator issue implementation guidance after consulting with various agencies.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill facilitates ecosystem restoration projects aimed at improving the functions of aquatic resources or floodplains.
- Scored +3
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill amends the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act to streamline the implementation of ecosystem restoration projects.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill supports projects that improve the natural functions of floodplains often found in rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fee Exemptions for Restoration Projects: Under Section 22(b), a requester is exempt from submitting review or processing fees when requesting a flood insurance rate map change based on an ecosystem restoration project. This could reduce the financial burden on those initiating such projects.
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Increased Flexibility for Community Projects: Section 22(c) allows a community to permit ecosystem restoration projects within an adopted regulatory floodway that might increase base flood elevations. This is possible if a professional engineer determines the cumulative effect will not increase the water surface elevation by more than 1 foot (or a determined amount), provided no insurable structure or critical infrastructure is adversely impacted and a post-project analysis is submitted to the Administrator within 180 days.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Risk to Property or Infrastructure: Section 22(c)(2) specifies that these projects can only occur if no insurable structure or critical infrastructure is located in an area that would be adversely impacted by increased base flood elevations. However, the determination of whether a project's cumulative effect stays within the allowed limit relies on a professional engineer's "best judgment" as stated in Section 22(c)(1).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill facilitates ecosystem restoration projects aimed at improving the functions of aquatic resources or floodplains. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill amends the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act to streamline the implementation of ecosystem restoration projects. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill supports the restoration of natural functions in floodplains which often benefit rural landscapes.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill supports projects that improve the natural functions of floodplains often found in rural areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The streamlining of flood insurance rate map changes for restoration projects can help stabilize community environments. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Ecosystem restoration can improve environmental quality in populated areas.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill reduces costs for ecosystem restoration projects by exempting requesters from review or processing fees.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill maintains and requires oversight from the FEMA Administrator regarding implementation guidance and project analysis.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — By facilitating ecosystem restoration, the bill may indirectly support long-term community stability and land value.
- 4/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/16/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/21/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Janelle BynumDemocrat · Oregon
Glenn GrothmanRepublican · Wisconsin
Marie PerezDemocrat · Washington
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Bryan SteilRepublican · Wisconsin
Derrick Van OrdenRepublican · Wisconsin
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico
Tony WiedRepublican · Wisconsin