Michael Oxley

Mr. OXLEY

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker).

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart).

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw).

Mr. OXLEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I understand that this is an issue in many States around the country but especially in those States hit by hurricanes in the last 2 years. I would welcome the opportunity to explore this issue further with the gentleman and my good friend from Florida, as well as the gentlewoman from Florida.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller).

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, we have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk made in order under the rule.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the manager's amendment to H.R. 4973. In addition to making technical changes necessary for the bill, the manager's amendment will clarify the drafter's intent in a handful of areas. This amendment establishes that the phasing in of actuarial rates for second homes and nonresidential properties will begin once FEMA has certified completion of their map modernization efforts. This is necessary to ensure that subsidies are eliminated fairly and without inaccurate information about which homeowners should be purchasing flood insurance in the first place. In addition, the amendment provides that the $1 million cap on penalties for nonenforcement of NFIP requirements not apply to regulated entities that have been assessed a penalty of $1 million in any 3 of the past 5 calendar years. This will help ensure that bad actors not get away with ignoring the need for adequate enforcement or mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements. This amendment more clearly defines FEMA participation in State disaster claims mediation programs and ensures the confidentiality of documents and conversations during the mediation process. In addition, it clarifies that mediation participation does not interfere with the exclusive Federal jurisdiction enjoyed by the Federal courts over the NFIP and provides that FEMA will not incur any additional fees as a result of mediation participation. The manager's amendment also more clearly sets out the timeline for FEMA's inclusion of certain features on updated floodplain maps and clarifies the FEMA Director's authority regarding the ability to issue interim postdisaster flood elevation building requirements. This amendment is a bipartisan effort that makes this bill better and more technically sound. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding and also say to my friend from Mississippi, congratulations on a well-thought- out amendment. I know the gentleman has had personal issues with this, as well as our good friend, former House Member Senator Lott; and we have had a number of discussions about the frustration that you and many of your constituents feel. We think that it is appropriate that the IG conduct that investigation and report back within 6 months, and therefore we are prepared to accept the amendment.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, we are pleased to accept the amendment. I congratulate the gentleman on his foresight. We are prepared to vote in favor of the amendment.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, the Chair is prepared to accept the amendment. I want to thank the gentlewoman for her foresight and also for merging this new technology with the ability of FEMA to make better and more accurate mapping.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, we have reviewed the amendment and are prepared to accept it.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. OXLEY

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. We are prepared to accept the amendment on this side.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to accept the amendment and congratulate the gentlewoman on her foresight and her amendment.