Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL) sponsored H.R. 1309, the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011, which would take a much-needed step toward reforming the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and protecting sensitive environmental habitats.  While the existing NFIP provides flood insurance at a significantly discounted rate--thereby creating a market incentive that has encouraged development and destruction of floodplains--H.R. 1309 would remedy this by increasing current rates to market-based levels.  The bill would also create a $90 million per year mitigation fund to help relocate communities out of floodplains, and create a Technical Mapping Advisory Council that would, among other things, ensure that changing weather and altered hydrology are included in the assessment of risk.  On July 12, the House passed H.R. 1309 by a vote of 406-22 (House roll call vote 562).  YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.  The Senate Banking committee unanimously reported a companion bill (S. 1940) on December 15, which is currently awaiting consideration by the full Senate.