Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has reintroduced two bills aimed at enhancing flood risk awareness for property owners and prospective homebuyers. The first bill, called the Flood Risk Transparency for Homebuyers Act, was initially introduced in October 2021. This legislation seeks to address the issue of potential homebuyers being unaware if a property is located in a flood zone, which can lead to significant financial hardships after a natural disaster. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide a disclosure notice to potential homebuyers if the HUD-listed properties are situated in a flood zone and are considered a Repetitive Loss property according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Senator Rubio emphasized the importance of this bill, stating, "By improving flood maps and empowering homebuyers with vital flood risk information, we can take significant strides towards achieving the goal of protecting our communities and individuals from the devastating impacts of flooding."

The second bill reintroduced by Senator Rubio is the Flood Insurance Rate Map Interagency (FIRM IT) Act. This legislation was first introduced in April 2019 and aims to ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) consults with relevant agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration when developing flood maps. The goal is to obtain the most up-to-date information necessary for creating accurate flood hazard identification maps used in the NFIP.

The collaboration between FEMA and these agencies would enable Floridians and others who rely on the NFIP to have access to the most precise data for flood hazard identification. By incorporating the expertise and resources of multiple agencies, the FIRM IT Act aims to improve the accuracy of flood maps and provide better information to individuals and communities at risk of flooding.

These bills reintroduced by Senator Rubio reflect his commitment to protecting communities and individuals from the devastating impacts of flooding. By increasing transparency and providing essential flood risk information to homebuyers, the Flood Risk Transparency for Homebuyers Act and the FIRM IT Act offer valuable tools for individuals to make informed decisions and mitigate potential financial risks associated with flood-prone properties.

For more information on Senator Rubio's efforts to address flood risk awareness, please refer to the following resources:

- October 2021: Rubio Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency to Protect Homebuyers Purchasing Flood-prone Homes From HUD

- July 2021: Rubio, Posey Reintroduce Legislation to Improve Flood Hazard Identification in FEMA Maps

- April 2019: Rubio, Posey Introduce Legislation to Improve Flood Hazard Identification in FEMA Maps