SNOW Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage Act of 2025 or the SNOW Act of 2025, significantly expands federal disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, specifically targeting winter storms. It allows recipients of hazard mitigation assistance to use these funds for activities that reduce future damage from winter storms, including the acquisition of essential snow removal equipment. The legislation also defines "winter storm" to encompass heavy snow, blowing snow, or dangerous wind chills, as determined by the Administrator. A key provision requires the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create a process for waiving the typical snowfall methodology and statewide damages requirements needed for a major disaster declaration related to winter storms. This waiver can be granted if specific conditions are met, such as a state emergency agency determining damages exceed local capacity, the National Weather Service reporting severe conditions like high winds with low wind chill or prolonged lake-effect snow, or if the affected area is identified as having a lower median household income or being non-urban. Furthermore, FEMA must issue regulations to ensure a broad range of disaster assistance, including debris removal, public building repairs, and individual assistance, is available for winter storm events when state or local governments are overwhelmed. The bill also amends several sections of the Stafford Act to increase the federal cost share for various types of disaster assistance. For "rural or disadvantaged areas," defined as those with a real median household income below the national average or non-urban areas, the federal share for hazard mitigation, emergency work, debris removal, and other assistance will be raised from not less than 75 percent to not less than 90 percent. This aims to reduce the financial burden on vulnerable communities recovering from disasters and enhance their resilience.