SNOW Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 437

119th Congress

SNOW Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 15, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Gus M. Bilirakis

Representative

Republican

FL-12

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Summary

The SNOW Act authorizes FEMA grant funding for winter storm hazard mitigation including snow removal equipment. It increases federal cost share to 90 percent in rural and disadvantaged areas and expands eligibility for major disaster declarations for snowstorms.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

SponsorGus M. Bilirakis (R-FL)

Introduced1/15/2025

StatusReferred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

SNOW Act of 2025

The SNOW Act authorizes FEMA grant funding for winter storm hazard mitigation including snow removal equipment. It increases federal cost share to 90 percent in rural and disadvantaged areas and expands eligibility for major disaster declarations for snowstorm

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

The SNOW Act authorizes FEMA grant funding for winter storm hazard mitigation including snow removal equipment. It increases federal cost share to 90 percent in rural and disadvantaged areas and expands eligibility for major disaster declarations for snowstorms.

Bill Number: 437
Sponsor: Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL)
Introduced: 1/15/2025
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Policy Area: Emergency Management

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: SNOW Act of 2025
Bill Number: 437
Sponsor: Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL)
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Introduced: 1/15/2025
Summary: The SNOW Act authorizes FEMA grant funding for winter storm hazard mitigation including snow removal equipment. It increases federal cost share to 90 percent in rural and disadvantaged areas and expands eligibility for major disaster declarations for snowstorms.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The SNOW Act authorizes FEMA grant funding for winter storm hazard mitigation including snow removal equipment. It increases federal cost share to 90 percent in rural and disadvantaged areas and expands eligibility for major disaster declarations for snowstorms.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service 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.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Authorizes FEMA grants for winter storm mitigation
Funds snow removal equipment purchases
Increases federal share to 90 percent for rural areas
Expands snowstorm disaster declarations
Covers debris removal and infrastructure assistance

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Communities hit by severe snowstorms would receive more federal assistance. Rural and disadvantaged areas get higher cost-sharing for disaster response. Local governments could acquire snow removal equipment through federal grants.