Technical Mapping Advisory Council

There is established a council to be known as the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (in this section referred to as the “Council”). The Council shall consist of— 16 additional members appointed by the Administrator or the designee of the Administrator, who shall be— Members of the Council shall be appointed based on their demonstrated knowledge and competence regarding surveying, cartography, remote sensing, geographic information systems, or the technical aspects of preparing and using flood insurance rate maps. In appointing members under paragraph (1)(E), the Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the membership of the Council has a balance of Federal, State, local, tribal, and private members, and includes geographic diversity, including representation from areas with coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and other States containing areas identified by the Administrator as at high risk for flooding or as areas having special flood hazards. The Council shall— recommend to the Administrator how to improve in a cost-effective manner the— recommend to the Administrator mapping standards and guidelines for— recommend to the Administrator and other Federal agencies participating in the Council— submit an annual report to the Administrator that contains— The Council shall consult with scientists and technical experts, other Federal agencies, States, and local communities to— develop recommendations on how to— ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses the best available methodology to consider the impact of— The Administrator, as part of the ongoing program to review and update National Flood Insurance Program rate maps under section 4101b of this title, shall incorporate any future risk assessment submitted under paragraph (1)(B) in any such revision or update. The members of the Council shall elect 1 member to serve as the chairperson of the Council (in this section referred to as the “Chairperson”). To ensure that the Council’s recommendations are consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with national digital spatial data collection and management standards, the Chairperson shall consult with the Chairperson of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (established pursuant to Office of Management and Budget Circular A–16). Members of the Council shall receive no additional compensation by reason of their service on the Council. The Council shall meet not less frequently than twice each year at the request of the Chairperson or a majority of its members, and may take action by a vote of the majority of the members. The Administrator, or a person designated by the Administrator, shall request and coordinate the initial meeting of the Council. The Chairperson may appoint officers to assist in carrying out the duties of the Council under subsection (c). Upon the request of the Chairperson, the Administrator may detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, personnel of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist the Council in carrying out its duties. Upon request of the Chairperson, any other Federal agency that is a member of the Council may detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, personnel to assist the Council in carrying out its duties. In carrying out this section, the Council may hold hearings, receive evidence and assistance, provide information, and conduct research, as it considers appropriate. The Administrator, on an annual basis, shall report to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Management and Budget on the—