Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1029
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-01T11:06:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act of 2025 aims to extend an existing federal program for monitoring snow levels and predicting water supplies to the Northeastern United States, improving water resource management in regions that may lack such services.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Region: The "Northeastern United States" includes the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, plus any additional states designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.
- Program Expansion: The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps conserve natural resources), must broaden the NRCS's snow survey and water supply forecasting program to cover this region.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a geographic expansion of the NRCS's snow survey program, which currently focuses on western states where snowpack is a major water source. It does not alter the program's core operations but mandates its application to the Northeast, where snow and water forecasting could address local needs like seasonal flooding or droughts.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture and NRCS will need to allocate resources for new surveys, data collection, and forecasting tools in the Northeast, potentially increasing operational costs but enhancing federal support for regional water planning.
- Citizens: Residents, farmers, and water-dependent industries in the Northeast could benefit from better predictions of water availability, aiding agriculture, flood preparation, and recreation. No direct impacts on international relations are evident.
- Broader Effects: Improved forecasting may help mitigate climate-related risks, such as variable winter precipitation, supporting local economies reliant on water resources.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture and NRCS, responsible for implementation.
- State Governments: Officials in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and potentially other Northeastern states, who may collaborate on data use.
- Local Communities: Farmers, water utilities, environmental groups, and outdoor recreation sectors in the affected region, gaining access to enhanced water supply information.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill is a straightforward congressional mandate on a federal agency, aligning with Congress's authority to direct executive branch activities under Article I of the U.S. Constitution. It raises no apparent constitutional challenges, such as federalism issues, as it involves voluntary state participation. Politically, it reflects bipartisan support (introduced by Senators from both parties) for addressing regional environmental needs without controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2025-03-13: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-13 — PDF (2 pages)