Structure elevation

(a) Design flood elevation In the case of a structure elevation nonstructural feature included in a project for flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction— (1) the target design flood elevation shall be not lower than the elevation required by local ordinance; and (2) the Secretary shall evaluate the costs and benefits of adopting as the target design flood elevation for the feature the design flood elevation determined in accordance with the most recent edition of standard 24 of the American Society of Civil Engineers, entitled Flood Resistant Design and Construction, if higher than the elevation required by local ordinance. (b) Certain eligible project costs In the case of a project for flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction that includes a structure elevation nonstructural feature, project costs shared in accordance with the cost share requirements otherwise applicable to the project shall include, at a minimum, the following: (1) Costs to comply with minimum design loads and associated criteria for all hazards applicable to a structure included in the project, including seismic hazards and wind hazards. (2) Costs to replace or repair utility service components that are undersized, inadequately designed, or unsafe, if required by State or local requirements. (3) Costs to abate asbestos and lead-based paint. (4) Costs to elevate existing decks, porches, or stairs. (5) Costs to construct a floor system that meets minimum State or local requirements when the existing floor system cannot be elevated or is not appropriate for the new foundation. (6) Costs to construct new stairs, landings, and railings to access the elevated living space in compliance with State or local requirements. (7) Documented reasonable housing costs incurred by an owner-occupant temporarily displaced during construction. (c) Ownership verification The Secretary shall accept as proof of ownership of a structure included in a structure elevation nonstructural feature any of the following documents: (1) Deed or official record. (2) Mortgage document. (3) Homeowners insurance documentation. (4) Property tax receipt or bill. (5) Manufactured home certificate or title. (6) Home purchase contract. (7) Will or affidavit of heirship. (8) Receipts for major repairs or maintenance to the structure. (9) Court documents. (10) A signed statement from a public official. (d) Project delivery (1) In general At the request of the non-Federal interest for a project for flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction that includes a structure elevation nonstructural feature, the Secretary shall enter into a project partnership agreement with the non-Federal interest— (A) to allow the non-Federal interest to carry out the nonstructural feature; and (B) to provide in advance to the non-Federal interest the Federal share of funds required for construction of the nonstructural feature. (2) Contracting In carrying out a structure elevation nonstructural feature, the Secretary may permit the owner of a structure included in the nonstructural feature to contract for performance of the work on the structure. (e) Applicability (1) In general Subsections (a) through (c) shall apply to— (A) any study for a project for flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction that has not reached the tentatively selected plan milestone on or before the date of enactment of this Act; and (B) any study for a project for flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction that has reached the tentatively selected plan milestone on or before the date of enactment of this Act, at the request of the non-Federal interest for the study. (2) Previously authorized projects In the case of a project for flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction that includes a structure elevation nonstructural feature authorized on or before the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, at the request of the non-Federal interest, shall carry out the nonstructural feature in accordance with subsections (a) through (c) without a general reevaluation study.