Bill · S. 4248· Senate(119-S-4248)
Enhancing Long-Term, Efficient, and Viable Alternatives to Empower Flood-Prone Communities Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/26/2026
- Last activity
- 3/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Sheldon Whitehouse
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Enhancing Long-Term, Efficient, and Viable Alternatives to Empower Flood-Prone Communities Act of 2026," focuses on the planning and implementation of nonstructural flood risk management. It directs the Secretary of the Army to prioritize nonstructural features, such as structure elevation and floodproofing, alongside traditional structural projects. The Act mandates the resumption of paused or deferred studies and establishes new requirements for communication between the Corps of Engineers and non-Federal interests. It also creates a national nonstructural committee and a mandatory center of expertise to build technical capacity. Furthermore, the bill adjusts federal cost-sharing for these nonstructural measures to support various communities.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
Low-income owner-occupants can receive supplemental payments exceeding appraised value to afford replacement homes in safer locations.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill prioritizes nonstructural features that preserve natural floodplains, water quality, and wildlife habitats.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates specific, frequent, and written notifications from the Corps of Engineers to non-Federal interests regarding project status and schedules.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Flood Protection: Nonstructural features are identified as proven methods for reducing risks from various flood drivers, including coastal storm surges and extreme rainfall (Section 3(a)(1)).
-
Preservation of Natural Benefits: Utilizing these features helps preserve natural floodplains, which provide benefits like water quality maintenance, fish and wildlife habitats, and recreation opportunities (Section 3(a)(2)).
-
Cost-Effectiveness: Nonstructural features are noted to require minimal maintenance and repair, making them a more cost-effective option than traditional structures like levees (Section 3(a)(3)).
-
Support for Vulnerable Communities: The bill increases the Federal cost share for nonstructural measures to 90 percent for economically disadvantaged communities and up to 100 percent for severe repetitive loss structures (Section 3(f)(1)).
-
Comprehensive Relocation Support: For those undergoing property acquisition or relocation, the bill allows for the inclusion of moving expenses, temporary housing costs, and relocation advisory services (Section 4(b), (c), and (d)).
-
Financial Assistance for Low-Income Homeowners: The Secretary may provide supplemental payments exceeding appraised value to low-income owner-occupants if the cost of a comparable replacement home is higher (Section 4(e)).
-
Enhanced Elevation Coverage: When elevating structures, the bill allows for the inclusion of costs related to repairing utility service components, abating asbestos or lead-based paint, and constructing new stairs or railings (Section 5(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Requirement for Voluntary Participation: While the bill provides for acquisition and demolition, it specifies that these must be done on a voluntary basis, meaning the Secretary cannot compel an owner to participate (Section 4(a)).
-
Potential for Temporary Displacement: During the process of structure elevation, owner-occupants may experience temporary displacement, necessitating the use of documented reasonable housing costs (Section 5(b)(7)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Urban Residents+3Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Rural Development+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+4Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina