§ 4021 — Participation In State Disaster Claims Mediation Programs

(a) In the case of the occurrence of a major disaster, as defined in section 5122 of this title, that may have resulted in flood damage covered under the national flood insurance program established under this chapter and other personal lines residential property insurance coverage offered by a State regulated insurer, upon a request made by the insurance commissioner of a State (or such other official responsible for regulating the business of insurance in the State) for the participation of representatives of the Administrator in a program sponsored by such State for nonbinding mediation of insurance claims resulting from a major disaster, the Administrator shall cause representatives of the national flood insurance program to participate in such a State program where claims under the national flood insurance program are involved to expedite settlement of flood damage claims resulting from such disaster. (b) In satisfying the requirements of subsection (a), the Administrator shall require that each representative of the Administrator— (1) be certified for purposes of the national flood insurance program to settle claims against such program resulting from such disaster in amounts up to the limits of policies under such program; (2) attend State-sponsored mediation meetings regarding flood insurance claims resulting from such disaster at such times and places as may be arranged by the State; (3) participate in good-faith negotiations toward the settlement of such claims with policyholders of coverage made available under the national flood insurance program; and (4) finalize the settlement of such claims on behalf of the national flood insurance program with such policyholders. (c) Representatives of the Administrator shall at all times coordinate their activities with insurance officials of the State and representatives of insurers for the purposes of consolidating and expediting settlement of claims under the national flood insurance program resulting from such disaster. (d) Each State mediator participating in State-sponsored mediation under this section shall be— (A) a member in good standing of the State bar in the State in which the mediation is to occur with at least 2 years of practical experience; and (B) an active member of such bar for at least 1 year prior to the year in which such mediator’s participation is sought; or (2) a retired trial judge from any United States jurisdiction who was a member in good standing of the bar in the State in which the judge presided for at least 5 years prior to the year in which such mediator’s participation is sought. (e) As a condition of participation, all statements made and documents produced pursuant to State-sponsored mediation involving representatives of the Administrator shall be deemed privileged and confidential settlement negotiations made in anticipation of litigation. (f) Participation in State-sponsored mediation, as described in this section does not— (1) affect or expand the liability of any party in contract or in tort; or (2) affect the rights or obligations of the parties, as established— (A) in any regulation issued by the Administrator, including any regulation relating to a standard flood insurance policy; (B) under this chapter; and (C) under any other provision of Federal law. (g) Participation in State-sponsored mediation shall not alter, change, or modify the original exclusive jurisdiction of United States courts, as set forth in this chapter. (h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the Administrator or a representative of the Administrator to pay additional mediation fees relating to flood insurance claims associated with a State-sponsored mediation program in which such representative of the Administrator participates. (i) In the case of the occurrence of a major disaster that results in flood damage claims under the national flood insurance program and that does not result in any loss covered by a personal lines residential property insurance policy— (1) this section shall not apply; and (2) the provisions of the standard flood insurance policy under the national flood insurance program and the appeals process established under section 205 of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 4011 note) and the regulations issued pursuant to such section shall apply exclusively. (j) For purposes of this section, the term “representatives of the Administrator” means representatives of the national flood insurance program who participate in the appeals process established under section 205 of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 4011 note).