Kevin Mullin (D-CA)
Federal Flood Risk Management Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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
The Federal Flood Risk Management Act of 2026 aims to establish a Federal standard to improve the nation's resilience to current and future flood risks. It requires federal agencies to take specific actions when carrying out agency actions in or affecting floodplains. Agencies must evaluate potential flood effects using climate-informed science and specific elevation requirements. The bill mandates that agencies minimize impacts on human safety and preserve the natural values of floodplains. It also establishes guidelines for federally funded projects and federal real property management. Finally, it tasks the Water Resources Council with updating standards and evaluating agency effectiveness.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill mandates the preservation of the natural values of floodplains and the use of climate-informed science to manage flood risks.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires public notice, comment periods, and the publication of exemption findings in the Federal Register.
- Scored +4
Would people in cities be better off under this?
Improved flood management standards enhance the safety and resilience of urban areas subject to flood hazards.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill allows federal agencies to restrict or withhold the conveyance of property in floodplains, which may impact housing availability.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Safety and Resilience: The bill requires agency heads to reduce the risk of losses from floods and minimize the impact of floods on human safety, health, and welfare (Section 4(a)).
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Enhanced Environmental Preservation: The Act directs agencies to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains (Section 4(a)).
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Climate-Informed Planning: Agencies are required to use a science-based approach that integrates current and future changes in flooding based on climate science to determine flood hazard areas (Section 4(b)(2)(A)(i)(I)).
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Increased Public Awareness: For structures used by the general public that have suffered damage or are in hazard areas, the bill requires a conspicuous delineation of past and probable flood height to enhance public knowledge of flood hazards (Section 5(a)(2)(D)).
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Informed Financial Decisions: Agencies that regulate or insure financial transactions in areas subject to a base flood must inform private parties about the hazards of locating a structure in those areas (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Restrictions on Property Use: When proposing to lease, easement, right-of-way, or dispose of Federal property in a floodplain, agencies may attach restrictions to the use of the property or withhold the property from conveyance entirely (Section 5(a)(2)(E)).
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Exemptions from Standards: Agency heads have the authority to exempt federally funded projects from the required standards if the exemption is in the interest of national security or due to an emergency (Section 5(b)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill improves the resilience of rural communities by requiring science-based floodplain management for federal projects. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Improved flood management standards enhance the safety and resilience of urban areas subject to flood hazards. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Enhanced flood resilience and hazard disclosure can help protect low-income residents from sudden flood-related losses. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Providing more accurate flood risk information can help homeowners make better-informed property investments.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill mandates the preservation of the natural values of floodplains and the use of climate-informed science to manage flood risks. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill improves the long-term resilience and intended lifespan of federally funded infrastructure projects through higher elevation standards.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires public notice, comment periods, and the publication of exemption findings in the Federal Register.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill requires agencies to inform private parties about the hazards of locating structures in flood-prone areas during financial transactions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill allows federal agencies to restrict or withhold the conveyance of property in floodplains, which may impact housing availability.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Improved resilience of federal property can indirectly protect the stability of environments where many veterans live or work.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 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.
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Betty McCollumDemocrat · Minnesota