Part B—Government Program With Industry Assistance

§4071. Federal operation of program; determination by Administrator; fiscal agents; report to Congress

(a) If at any time, after consultation with representatives of the insurance industry, the Administrator determines that operation of the flood insurance program as provided under part A cannot be carried out, or that such operation, in itself, would be assisted materially by the Federal Government's assumption, in whole or in part, of the operational responsibility for flood insurance under this chapter (on a temporary or other basis) he shall promptly undertake any necessary arrangements to carry out the program of flood insurance authorized under subchapter I through the facilities of the Federal Government, utilizing, for purposes of providing flood insurance coverage, either—

(1) insurance companies and other insurers, insurance agents and brokers, and insurance adjustment organizations, as fiscal agents of the United States,

(2) such other officers and employees of any executive agency (as defined in section 105 of title 5) as the Administrator and the head of any such agency may from time to time, agree upon, on a reimbursement or other basis, or

(3) both the alternatives specified in paragraphs (1) and (2).

(b) Upon making the determination referred to in subsection (a), the Administrator shall make a report to the Congress and, at the same time, to the private insurance companies participating in the National Flood Insurance Program pursuant to section 4017 of this title. Such report shall—

(1) state the reason for such determinations,

(2) be supported by pertinent findings,

(3) indicate the extent to which it is anticipated that the insurance industry will be utilized in providing flood insurance coverage under the program, and

(4) contain such recommendations as the Administrator deems advisable.

The Administrator shall not implement the program of flood insurance authorized under subchapter I through the facilities of the Federal Government until 9 months after the date of submission of the report under this subsection unless it would be impossible to continue to effectively carry out the National Flood Insurance Program operations during this time.

(Pub. L. 90–448, title XIII, §1340, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 584; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title IV, §451(d)(1), (4)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1229; Pub. L. 101–137, §3, Nov. 3, 1989, 103 Stat. 824; Pub. L. 112–141, div. F, title II, §100238(b)(1), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 958.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original a reference to "this title" meaning title XIII of Pub. L. 90–448, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 572, known as the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4001 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 substituted "Administrator" for "Director" wherever appearing in text.

1989—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–137 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "Upon making the determination referred to in subsection (a) of this section, and at least thirty days prior to implementing the program of flood insurance authorized under subchapter I of this chapter through the facilities of the Federal Government, the Director shall make a report to the Congress and such report shall—

"(1) state the reasons for such determination,

"(2) be supported by pertinent findings,

"(3) indicate the extent to which it is anticipated that the insurance industry will be utilized in providing flood insurance coverage under the program, and

"(4) contain such recommendations as the Director deems advisable."

1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–181, §451(d)(1), in provisions preceding par. (1), substituted "Director" for "Secretary".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 98–181, §451(d)(4), struck out "officers and employees of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and" before "such other officers".

Pub. L. 98–181, §451(d)(1), substituted "Director" for "Secretary".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–181, §451(d)(1), substituted "Director" for "Secretary" wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 120 days following Aug. 1, 1968, or such later date prescribed by the Secretary but in no event more than 180 days following Aug. 1, 1968, see section 1377 of Pub. L. 90–448, set out as a note under section 4001 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

For 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 section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security.

For 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 November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§4072. Adjustment and payment of claims; judicial review; limitations; jurisdiction

In the event the program is carried out as provided in section 4071 of this title, the Administrator shall be authorized to adjust and make payment of any claims for proved and approved losses covered by flood insurance, and upon the disallowance by the Administrator of any such claim, or upon the refusal of the claimant to accept the amount allowed upon any such claim, the claimant, within one year after the date of mailing of notice of disallowance or partial disallowance by the Administrator, may institute an action against the Administrator on such claim in the United States district court for the district in which the insured property or the major part thereof shall have been situated, and original exclusive jurisdiction is hereby conferred upon such court to hear and determine such action without regard to the amount in the controversy.

(Pub. L. 90–448, title XIII, §1341, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 584; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title IV, §451(d)(1), (5)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1229; Pub. L. 112–141, div. F, title II, §100238(b)(1), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 958.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 substituted "Administrator" for "Director" wherever appearing.

1983—Pub. L. 98–181, §451(d)(5), inserted "original exclusive" before "jurisdiction".

Pub. L. 98–181, §451(d)(1), substituted "Director" for "Secretary" wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 120 days following Aug. 1, 1968, or such later date prescribed by the Secretary but in no event more than 180 days following Aug. 1, 1968, see section 1377 of Pub. L. 90–448, set out as a note under section 4001 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

For 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 section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security.

For 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 November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.