S. 1545 — Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act

This section amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 by adding a new subsection (e) to establish community accountability requirements for "covered communities" participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)—defined as those containing (1) at least 50 repetitive loss structures (i.e., with at least two flood insurance claims exceeding $1,000 total during any 10-year period), (2) at least five severe repetitive loss structures lacking required mitigation under NFIP standards, or (3) a public or private nonprofit facility receiving Stafford Act repair assistance (42 U.S.C. 5172) for more than one flooding event in the most recent 10-year period. Covered communities must (A) identify repeatedly damaged areas and flood-damaged facilities, (B) assess continuing risks with FEMA assistance, (C) develop and implement a community-specific flood mitigation plan, (D) submit the plan and updates to FEMA, and (E) make them publicly available (subject to privacy protections), with allowance to incorporate into existing NFIP or Stafford Act mitigation plans. FEMA must provide data on insured properties to assist plan development and may prioritize mitigation grants for compliant communities; non-compliance or insufficient progress may result in sanctions (e.g., NFIP suspension or probation) after notice and resource considerations. (Thus, the provision incentivizes mitigation in high-risk areas to reduce repetitive flood claims and NFIP costs.) FEMA must issue implementing regulations within one year of enactment and submit to Congress, not later than six years after enactment and biennially thereafter, reports on covered communities' plan implementation progress.