H.R. 4774 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Jul 23, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands flood disaster assistance for basements
After a flood, FEMA helps people repair their homes through a program called Individual Assistance. Right now, that program only helps fix basement damage if it threatens the home's safety or basic function. This bill would expand help to cover mold, mildew, and moisture damage in basements even if they don't affect safety. It would also let people get help repairing more types of property in flooded basements—like air conditioning units and freezers—not just washers and dryers. The bill also expands flood insurance options available to people who get disaster assistance.
How it affects you
If your basement floods after a disaster, you could receive federal help repairing mold and moisture damage that you wouldn't have qualified for before, even if your basement isn't used as living space. You'd also be able to get assistance replacing more types of damaged belongings in your basement, and you'd have access to expanded flood insurance coverage through FEMA's program.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jul 25, 2025)
Fix Our Flooded Basements Act of 2025
This 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 4774
A BILL
Fix Our Flooded Basements Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) · Introduced Jul 25, 2025 · Emergency Management · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 26, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.”