US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 4102

Criteria for land management and use

(a)

Studies and investigations

The Administrator is authorized to carry out studies and investigations, utilizing to the maximum extent practicable the existing facilities and services of other Federal departments or agencies, and State and local governmental agencies, and any other organizations, with respect to the adequacy of State and local measures in flood-prone areas as to land management and use, flood control, flood zoning, and flood damage prevention, and may enter into any contracts, agreements, or other appropriate arrangements to carry out such authority.

(b)

Extent of studies and investigations

Such studies and investigations shall include, but not be limited to, laws, regulations, or ordinances relating to encroachments and obstructions on stream channels and floodways, the orderly development and use of flood plains of rivers or streams, floodway encroachment lines, and flood plain zoning, building codes, building permits, and subdivision or other building restrictions.

(c)

Development of comprehensive criteria designed to encourage adoption of adequate State and local measures

On the basis of such studies and investigations, and such other information as he deems necessary, the Administrator shall from time to time develop comprehensive criteria designed to encourage, where necessary, the adoption of adequate State and local measures which, to the maximum extent feasible, will—
(1)
constrict the development of land which is exposed to flood damage where appropriate,
(2)
guide the development of proposed construction away from locations which are threatened by flood hazards,
(3)
assist in reducing damage caused by floods, and
(4)
otherwise improve the long-range land management and use of flood-prone areas,
and he shall work closely with and provide any necessary technical assistance to State, interstate, and local governmental agencies, to encourage the application of such criteria and the adoption and enforcement of such measures.
(d)

Flood mitigation methods for buildings

The Administrator shall establish guidelines for property owners that—
(1)
provide alternative methods of mitigation, other than building elevation, to reduce flood risk to residential buildings that cannot be elevated due to their structural characteristics, including—
(A)
types of building materials; and
(B)
types of floodproofing; and
(2)
inform property owners about how the implementation of mitigation methods described in paragraph (1) may affect risk premium rates for flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Pub. L. 90–448, title XIII, § 136182 Stat. 587Pub. L. 91–152, title IV, § 410(c)83 Stat. 397Pub. L. 98–181, title I97 Stat. 1229Pub. L. 112–141, div. F, title II, § 100238(b)(1)126 Stat. 958Pub. L. 113–89, § 26(a)(1)128 Stat. 1032(, , ; , , ; [title IV, § 451(d)(1)], , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 113–892014—Subsec. (d). added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 112–1412012—Subsecs. (a), (c). substituted “Administrator” for “Director”.

Pub. L. 98–1811983—Subsecs. (a), (c). substituted “Director” for “Secretary”.

Pub. L. 91–1521969—Subsec. (c). substituted provisions requiring development of criteria designed to encourage adoption of adequate State and local measures, for provisions requiring development of criteria designed to encourage adoption of permanent State and local measures.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 1377 of Pub. L. 90–448section 4001 of this titleSection effective 120 days following , or such later date prescribed by the Secretary but in no event more than 180 days following , see , set out as a note under .

Transfer of Functions

section 315(a)(1) of Title 6For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see , Domestic Security.

section 542 of Title 6For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under .

Guidelines

Pub. L. 113–89, § 26(a)(2)128 Stat. 1032

42 U.S.C. 4102(d)“The Administrator [of the Federal Emergency Management Agency] shall issue the guidelines required under section 1361(d) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (), as added by the amendment made by paragraph (1) of this subsection, not later than the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Task Force on Natural and Beneficial Functions of the Floodplain

Pub. L. 103–325, title V, § 562108 Stat. 2276, , , established the Task Force on Natural and Beneficial Functions of the Floodplain to conduct a study on the functions of the floodplain that reduce flood-related losses and provided for its termination 24 months after its last member was designated.