SNOW Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Kennedy (NY)
In Committee
Summary
Would expand federal disaster assistance for winter storms and make it easier for struggling communities to get federal help after heavy snow. It would let FEMA fund winter-specific mitigation like snow removal equipment and require rules to relax rigid snowfall and statewide damage thresholds when local impacts are severe.
Show full summary
- Families and households: Would allow individual and emergency assistance when a State says a storm exceeds local capacity, which could speed help for repairs and short-term needs.
- Local governments and infrastructure: Would authorize FEMA hazard mitigation and disaster funds for debris removal and repairs to roads, bridges, water control, public buildings, utilities, parks, and for acquiring snow removal equipment.
- Rural and disadvantaged communities: Would raise federal cost shares from 75% to at least 90% in areas the Census calls low-income or nonurban, reducing local matching costs.
- States and emergency managers: Would require FEMA to create a waiver process so it can approve major disaster declarations for snowstorms when at least two of three specified conditions are met, shortening barriers to federal aid.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier FEMA help after winter storms
FEMA would be required to write rules to give winter‑storm aid for debris, roads and bridges, water control, public buildings, utilities, and parks. FEMA could also help when a State agency says the storm is bigger than local capacity to handle. The bill would set a waiver path so a winter storm could get a major disaster even if snowfall or statewide damage rules are not met, if at least two are true: the State finds damages exceed its regional threshold; the National Weather Service finds winds over 58 mph with wind chill below 0°F or lake‑effect snow for more than 24 hours; or Census finds the area is low‑income or not urban. It would define a “response zone or region” (set by the State for damage checks) and a “winter storm” (heavy or blowing snow or dangerous wind chills).
Higher federal share in rural or low-income areas
If enacted, the federal government would pay at least 75% of covered disaster costs. In rural or disadvantaged areas, it would pay at least 90%. For hazard mitigation projects in those areas after a major disaster or certain fires, the President could pay up to 90% if the project is cost‑effective and approved. Total Presidential mitigation funds per disaster would be capped at 15% of estimated grants up to $2 billion, 10% for $2–$10 billion, and 7.5% for $10–$35.333 billion. An area would count as “rural or disadvantaged” if its income is below the U.S. median or it is not urban.
Mitigation funds for winter storm prep
Hazard mitigation grants could be used to prepare for winter storms. Communities could buy snow‑removal equipment and take other steps to cut future damage and hardship.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov