A Pennsylvania congressman Tuesday introduced legislation thatwould effectively repeal all changes to the National FloodInsurance Program imposed by a controversial 2012 law.

The only provision that would be retained in the Biggert-WatersAct of 2012 under the bill would be the reauthorization of theprogram through Sept. 30, 2017.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and iseffectively buyer's remorse.

Marino says he introduced his bill because, “When Biggert-Waterswas enacted, no one anticipated rates would increase sodrastically.”

He also says the Federal Emergency Management Agency was“required by law” to report to Congress on the affordability ofimplementation decisions but it failed to do so. “FEMA alsofailed to warn buyers of such rate increases ahead of time,” hesays.

Craig Fugate, however, FEMA administrator, has repeatedly arguedin congressional testimony and in talks with consumers, stateofficials and congressmen, that B-W provided no linkage between theaffordability study and implementation of the rate hikes. FEMAmakes the same point in filings in a Federal District Court inGulfport, Miss. in answer to a lawsuit that argues that the rateshikes and affordability study are linked.

That suit seeks an injunction barring the rate hikes until thestudy is completed.

Furthermore, FEMA was not consulted about the potential impactof the law by members of Congress before they voted overwhelminglyfor it, according to FEMA officials as well as those who observedthe parliamentary process.

Phase-in of actuarial rates for flood insurance was required bySen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., as his price for adding what became knownas the Biggert-Waters bill to a transportation bill then on theSenate floor in June 2012.