SNOW Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 437

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Last Updated

2025-03-07T21:36:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage Act of 2025 (SNOW Act of 2025) aims to broaden federal disaster relief for winter storms by making it easier to qualify for aid, allowing more flexible use of funds, and increasing the federal government's financial contribution, particularly for rural and low-income areas. This addresses gaps in the existing system where winter storms may not always meet strict eligibility thresholds despite causing significant harm.

Key Provisions

• Expanded Assistance for Winter Storms:
• Adds winter storms (defined as heavy snow, blowing snow, or dangerous wind chills, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA Administrator) to eligible hazards under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
• Permits recipients of hazard mitigation funds (under Sections 404 and 203) to use them for risk-reduction activities in winter storm-affected areas, such as purchasing snow removal equipment.

• Waiver Process for Eligibility:
• FEMA must create rules to waive the usual snowfall amount and statewide damage thresholds needed for a major disaster declaration if at least two of these conditions are met in a "response zone or region" (an area designated by a state for assessing local disaster declarations):
• The state emergency management agency writes that local damages exceed the state's own disaster declaration threshold.
• The National Weather Service confirms severe conditions, such as wind speeds over 58 mph with wind chill below 0°F, or lake-effect snow lasting over 24 hours.
• U.S. Census Bureau data shows the area has below-national median household income or is non-urban (rural).

• Regulations for Specific Aid Types:
• FEMA must issue rules to provide assistance for winter storms under various Stafford Act sections, covering:
• Debris removal.
• Repairs to roads, bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, utilities, and parks/recreational facilities.
• Aid under Sections 408 (individual and family assistance) and 503 (emergency aid) can be provided if a state determines the storm overwhelms local response capacity.

• Increased Federal Cost Share:
• Raises the minimum federal funding share for most disaster assistance to 75% of eligible costs (up from previous levels, which varied but often started at 75% with adjustments).
• Increases it to 90% for "rural or disadvantaged areas" (defined as areas with below-national median household income or non-urban status, per Census data) in key sections like essential assistance (403), hazard mitigation (404), debris removal (407), and emergency aid (503).
• For hazard mitigation in disadvantaged areas, allows up to 90% federal contribution on cost-effective measures to reduce future risks, with overall caps on total mitigation funding (e.g., 15% of grants up to $2 billion in total disaster costs, scaling down for larger events).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Inclusion of Winter Storms: Previously, the Stafford Act focused on broader disasters; this explicitly adds winter storms as a qualifying event and allows tailored mitigation, including equipment purchases.
• Eased Declaration Requirements: Introduces waivers based on local/state assessments and weather data, bypassing rigid national snowfall or damage metrics that could exclude severe but localized winter events.
• Higher Federal Shares: Shifts more financial burden to the federal government (from typical 75% to 90% in vulnerable areas), redefining "rural or disadvantaged" to prioritize equity without altering core eligibility rules.
• New Regulatory Mandates: Requires FEMA to promulgate specific rules for winter-related aid, expanding applicability across multiple Stafford Act programs.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: FEMA will face increased administrative duties (e.g., waiver processes, new regulations) and higher payouts, potentially straining budgets but enabling faster responses. State and local emergency agencies gain flexibility in declarations and aid access.
• On Citizens: Residents in winter-prone, rural, or low-income areas could receive quicker, more generous relief for storm recovery, reducing out-of-pocket costs for repairs and mitigation. This may lower long-term hardship from events like blizzards or wind chills.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic disaster policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: FEMA (leads implementation and funding); National Weather Service and Census Bureau (provide data for waivers).
• State and Local Governments: Emergency management agencies (assess damages, apply for aid); communities in response zones (benefit from waived thresholds and higher shares).
• Citizens and Communities: Particularly those in rural, non-urban, or low-income areas affected by winter storms, who gain enhanced protection and recovery support.
• Infrastructure Operators: Entities managing roads, utilities, and public facilities, which can access funds for winter-specific repairs and prevention.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the Stafford Act's adaptability to climate-related events like intensified winter storms, without overriding judicial precedents on disaster declarations. The waiver process introduces objective criteria (e.g., weather and Census data) to reduce discretion and potential disputes over eligibility.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I (to provide for general welfare) and federalism principles by empowering states in assessments while centralizing federal aid. No apparent conflicts with equal protection or due process, as it promotes equity for disadvantaged groups.
• Political: Could foster bipartisan support in winter-vulnerable regions (e.g., Northeast, Midwest) by addressing inequities in disaster relief, but may spark debates over federal spending increases and prioritization of rural/low-income areas over urban ones. Enhances resilience policies amid climate change without mandating new taxes or programs.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
• 2025-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-01-15: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-15 — PDF (8 pages)