The “Flood Insurance for Farmers Act” would allow farmers to bundle multiple structures under a single commercial NFIP policy. Designed by Freepik, www.freepik.com

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MPG) - Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) and Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), recently reintroduced H.R. 5961, the “Flood Insurance for Farmers Act of 2025,” which ensures agricultural producers are not saddled with thousands of dollars in unnecessary government-imposed fees when obtaining flood insurance and have access to the financial tools they need to expand or conduct business by making reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program.

“Farmers shouldn’t be punished just because their operations happen to be near or in a floodplain,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “The current Federal flood insurance program sticks farmers with unnecessary fees, making already expensive flood insurance even more costly, and can prevent them from getting loans to expand or make repairs. The NFIP can help America’s farmers after floods, but if it’s so expensive and cumbersome that they ultimately receive little or no benefit, then it defeats the purpose of this program. Our bill cuts through NFIP bureaucracy and reduces program costs so farmers can stay competitive and keep producing while helping them manage flood risk.”

Rep. Garamendi added, “For generations, California families have farmed the floodplain, and this legislation ensures that they can continue to do so by keeping agricultural land in production. Our bill protects farmers from hidden fees, unnecessary costs, and excessive paperwork, allowing them to focus on their essential work —producing the food that sustains our communities. As a former Insurance Commissioner and a farmer myself, I am committed to standing up for family farmers and fighting against unfair insurance practices. This legislation fulfills that commitment.” 

Under current law, agricultural producers with property located in certain flood areas designated by FEMA are required to purchase flood insurance in order to qualify for a federally backed mortgage. However, National Flood Insurance Program commercial policies charge a $250 surcharge per structure, meaning farmers with multiple barns, sheds or storage facilities can be hit with thousands of dollars in additional costs on top of high insurance premiums.

The “Flood Insurance for Farmers Act” would allow farmers to bundle multiple structures under a single commercial NFIP policy, meaning they would only pay one $250 surcharge instead of being charged per building.

“This is a plain and simple pocketbook issue that will help farmers across the country,” said Marc J. Boomgaarden, SBFCA Board Chair & Vice Mayor of Yuba City. “The Sutter Basin may be rich in almonds and peaches, but our farmers need relief from flood insurance policies that view premiums for sheds the same way they view premiums for homes. The Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency is dedicated to reducing flood risks for the community and National Flood Insurance Program is an important component of those efforts. We applaud the commonsense approach that Congressman LaMalfa and Garamendi are working on to help farmers back home.”

The legislation also gives counties flexibility to grant variances from FEMA’s minimum floodplain standards for new or expanded agricultural structures, allowing them to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program while recognizing the practical needs of farmers. Counties could issue variances when elevating or flood-proofing a structure isn’t practical, the variance wouldn’t increase threats to public safety, and no significant flood claims have been made on the property in the past decade.

Together, these reforms reduce government-imposed costs and red tape, helping farmers continue to modernize and operate efficiently while maintaining participation in the federal flood insurance program.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.