Fix Our Flooded Basements Act of 2025
Fix Our Flooded Basements Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Fix Our Flooded Basements Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would expand federal disaster assistance for homeowners dealing with basement flood damage. Currently, FEMA's disaster aid for flooded basements only covers repairs that affect a home's safety, sanitation, or basic functionality. The bill would broaden this to include damage from mold, mildew, and moisture—even if these don't directly impact the home's livability.
It would also allow assistance for basement damage regardless of whether the basement is used as living space, and would expand which personal items (like washers, dryers, and other property) qualify for replacement assistance after flooding. **Who It Affects:** Homeowners with flooded basements, particularly those in flood-prone areas, would benefit from more comprehensive disaster assistance. The bill also mentions expanding eligibility for group flood insurance programs, which could affect insurance coverage availability in certain communities. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 4774) was introduced by Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Fix Our Flooded Basements Act of 2025This bill expands the disaster assistance provided to individuals and households for repairs to and property in flood-damaged basements. It also expands eligibility and coverage for certain group flood insurance.Under current law, the Individual Assistance (IA) program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) limits home repair assistance for flood-damaged basements to damage affecting the safety, sanitation, or functionality of the home (e.g., structural damage, hazardous conditions). The bill allows home repair assistance for disaster-caused mold, mildew, and moisture damage in basements regardless of whether the damage affects safety, sanitation, or functionality. Additionally, flood-damaged basements are eligible for home repair assistance even when the basement is not required for occupying the dwelling.Also, currently, IA assistance for flood-damaged personal property in basements is limited to washers, dryers, and property essential for occupying the dwelling. The bill expands IA personal property assistance to more broadly cover property damaged by disaster-caused flooding in basements. The scope of such assistance must at least equal the coverage for such damage by a standard policy under the National Flood Insurance Program (e.g., covering air conditioning units and freezers in basements). Additionally, FEMA must expand the eligibility and coverage of the group flood insurance it provides to IA recipients, including increasing the maximum coverage and expanding coverage for basements.The bill also excludes from the maximum for IA housing assistance expenses for (1) hazard mitigation measures in flood-damaged basements, and (2) premiums for group flood insurance policies.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.