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Environment secretary Hilary Benn has outlined plans to reduce flood risks, including restrictions on developments and the activities of homeowners.
The draft Flood and Water Management Bill follows the government's response to Sir Michael Pitt's review of the floods of summer 2007, in which the government took on all 92 recommendations.
Benn's announcement coincides with the opening of the new Flood Forecasting Centre to improve warnings about flooding risks, a partnership between the Environment Agency and the Met Office.
The draft legislation asks what steps should be taken to improve flood risk management, and clarifies who is responsible for what.
It also recommends that water companies should be given better powers to conserve water in the event of a drought and considers whether local authorities should be given more power to restrict works such as paving that reduce water retention.
Benn said: "We can't stop rain falling from the sky, or make it rain during droughts, but we can be better prepared.
"That's why we are publishing this draft Bill, which will help us better protect the public by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in flood risk management.
"We've also been taking action to protect property and prepare for emergencies, including setting up the Flood Forecasting Centre, providing £15m to local authorities to lead flood management locally and develop surface water management plans, a £5m fund available to households for personal flood protection and £2m to improve water rescue, including funding for rescue boats and trained personnel."
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