Bilirakis Introduces Legislation to Improve Flood Insurance Maps

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) today introduced legislation to ensure accountability and transparency when it comes to calculating flood insurance rates. The Flood Insurance Integrity Act would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to regularly review FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program to make sure flood insurance maps are updated.

Bilirakis recently spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation. See below for his prepared remarks.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss important legislation I will soon be introducing in this Congress, the Flood Insurance Integrity Act.

Flooding and flood insurance are major issues for the people of my district in Florida.

Our community along the coast is prone to experiencing hurricanes and tropical storms on a regular basis—flood insurance is a must where we live.

But right now, the National Flood Insurance Program bases its flood insurance rates on maps that can be 50 years or older.

Many are completely out of date and often inaccurate.

It's also one of the reasons that NFIP is over $23 billion in debt.

The Flood Insurance Integrity Act would require an open and transparent annual review of flood maps.

Americans who need flood insurance should be able to trust that their flood insurance premiums accurately reflect their flood risk.

That's what my bill seeks to do. Thank you."