Plain Language Summary
# SNOW Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does:** The SNOW Act would provide federal funding through FEMA to help communities prepare for and recover from severe winter storms. It would allow communities to use federal grant money to purchase snow removal equipment and take other steps to reduce winter storm damage. The bill also makes it easier for states and communities to qualify for federal disaster assistance after major snowstorms by changing some of FEMA's eligibility requirements. **Who It Affects:** The bill specifically targets rural areas and disadvantaged communities, which would receive a higher percentage of federal funding to cover disaster costs.
Communities affected by severe winter storms would benefit from the new funding opportunities and more flexible eligibility rules for federal assistance. **Key Provisions:** The bill increases federal funding support for winter storm preparation and recovery, expands what types of projects can use federal hazard mitigation grants (including equipment purchases), and requires FEMA to create new rules that may make it easier for snowstorm-affected areas to receive major disaster declarations. This means communities wouldn't necessarily need to show record-breaking snowfall or meet the same strict cost thresholds currently required. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage Act of 2025 or the SNOW Act of 2025This bill authorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding for winter storm hazard mitigation and requires FEMA rulemaking to expand assistance for winter storms. It also increases the federal cost share for various FEMA grants, for any hazard type, in rural or disadvantaged areas.The bill specifically authorizes the use of grant funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program to reduce the risk of future damage in areas affected by winter storms, such as by acquiring snow removal equipment. Also, under current FEMA policy, in determining eligibility and recommending a presidential major disaster declaration for a snowstorm, FEMA’s considerations include whether data shows record (or near record) snowfall and whether estimated statewide costs meet applicable thresholds. The bill requires FEMA to create regulations waiving these eligibility requirements for a major disaster declaration for a snowstorm in certain circumstances. FEMA must also create regulations to provide certain assistance for winter storms, including for debris removal and specified infrastructure, as well as individual and emergency assistance when the state determines the storm exceeds state and local capacity. In addition, for any hazard type, the bill requires FEMA to increase the federal cost share from 75% to 90% for certain assistance provided in rural or disadvantaged areas. It also authorizes an increased HMGP federal cost share amount from 75% to 90% for assistance in rural or disadvantaged areas.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.