Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text: CR S2280-2281)
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 establishes the "Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2026." It directs the FEMA Administrator to implement a pilot program that provides grants to local governments to improve urban flooding maps and data. The program focuses on creating technology-based mapping tools that show specific flood risks and annual frequency. These tools are intended to be made available to homeowners, businesses, and local governments through a web-based portal. The goal is to help these entities understand and mitigate the risks of urban flooding.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires flood risk data to be made publicly available via a web-based portal to increase transparency.
- Scored +4
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets urbanized areas to improve their ability to map and mitigate flooding risks.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill incorporates climate trends into urban flooding risk assessments to better manage environmental threats.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency and Risk Awareness: The bill aims to make flood information publicly available on the internet through a web-sited portal to increase transparency regarding homeowner flood risks (Section 2(c)(6)).
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Better Flood Risk Assessment: The program seeks to provide structure-specific projections of annual flood frequency and structure-based assessments (Section 2(c)(2) and (3)).
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Improved Mitigation Planning: Grants can be used to provide program designs for mitigating the risk of urban flooding (Section 2(c)(4)).
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Climate Trend Integration: The mapping tools are intended to incorporate information regarding climate trends into urban flooding risk assessments (Section 2(c)(5)).
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Targeted Support for Vulnerable Areas: Priority is given to applicants in areas highly vulnerable to sea level rise, locations with military or national security installations, and populations highly vulnerable to urban flooding due to socioeconomic factors (Section 2(g)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Scope of Recipients: Grants are only available to units of general local government in urbanized areas with populations of more than 50,000, or their stormwater management authorities (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Limited Participation Opportunities: The pilot program is restricted to a total of 12 units of local government or stormwater management authorities over the entire duration of the program (Section 2(f)(2)).
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Financial Burden on Localities: The federal government will not cover all costs, as the grant amount may not exceed 75 percent of the total cost incurred for the activities (Section 2(h)(2)).
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 cities be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets urbanized areas to improve their ability to map and mitigate flooding risks. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes populations highly vulnerable to urban flooding due to socioeconomic factors. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Homeowners receive better data to help minimize the risk of property damage from urban flooding.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires flood risk data to be made publicly available via a web-based portal to increase transparency.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill incorporates climate trends into urban flooding risk assessments to better manage environmental threats. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — Enhanced mapping tools assist in managing urban infrastructure and stormwater systems.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill provides businesses with better mapping tools to understand and mitigate urban flooding risks to their properties.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds the development of new technology-based mapping tools for flood risk assessment.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — By improving flood risk data, the bill helps homeowners protect their property value and mitigate damage risks.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill prioritizes locations with national security installations, which may include veteran-related facilities.
- 5/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text: CR S2280-2281)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois