H.R. 437: Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage Act of 2025 or the SNOW Act of 2025, aims to amend the existing Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to enhance support for areas affected by winter storms. Here are the main provisions:

Winter Storm Assistance

• The bill allows recipients of hazard mitigation assistance to use funds for activities that minimize future winter storm damages, such as acquiring equipment for snow removal.
• A "winter storm" is defined as a combination of heavy snow, blowing snow, or dangerous wind chills, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flexible Disaster Declaration Criteria

• FEMA’s Administrator can establish rules to waive the usual requirements related to snowfall amounts and overall damages for declaring a winter storm as a major disaster. This waiver can occur if certain conditions are met, including:
• A state emergency agency's written determination that the storm's damage exceeds typical thresholds.
• National Weather Service confirmation of severe conditions, such as wind speeds over 58 miles per hour paired with extreme wind chill or prolonged lake-effect snow.
• Population assessments showing median household incomes below national averages or areas classified as non-urban.

Regulations on Assistance

• The bill mandates that FEMA develop necessary regulations to provide assistance for different aspects of recovery post-winter storm, including:
• Debris removal
• Repairs to roads and bridges
• Water control facilities
• Public buildings and utilities
• Parks and recreational areas

Federal Cost Sharing Adjustments

• The federal contribution for assistance in typical areas will be no less than 75% of the eligible costs. However, in rural or economically disadvantaged areas, this figure will be increased to 90%.
• Definitions of rural or disadvantaged areas are based on income and urban classification as determined by the Bureau of the Census.

Implementation and Regulatory Authority

• The bill provides the FEMA Administrator with the authority to implement regulations and procedures necessary to execute these new provisions.
• It specifies that state emergency management agencies will play a key role in declaring eligibility based on damage assessments.

Definitions

• Clarifications on terms such as "response zone" and "winter storm" are included to ensure consistent application of the bill’s provisions.

Relevant Companies

• DE (Deere & Company): As a manufacturer of snow removal equipment, this company may see increased demand for its products if funding for snow removal activities increases due to this bill.
• CMI (Cummins Inc.): This company could be affected as it produces engines that may be used in snow management vehicles, leading to potential growth in sales if municipalities invest in new equipment.
• TTC (Toro Company): Known for outdoor equipment, Toro could experience a rise in sales of snow removal products in areas receiving disaster assistance following winter storms.