Sponsors (5)
The bill improves recognition, planning, and potential federal relief for 'snow drought' impacts—helping governments, farmers, and small businesses prepare and access aid—while creating fiscal and operational strains and implementation risks because it expands assistance and imposes rapid rulemaking without providing new funding or safeguards.
Small businesses that lose revenue because of low-snow 'snow drought' events become eligible for SBA disaster assistance (including EIDL) and agencies are required to issue implementing rules within 90 days, speeding access to relief.
State and local water managers, farmers, and rural communities gain a standardized definition of 'snow drought' and a clearer distinction between 'warm' and 'dry' snow droughts, improving drought planning, water-supply management, and local preparedness.
Congressional oversight via a GAO report will identify resilience and adaptation strategies, giving governments and businesses actionable guidance to plan for future low-snow impacts.
Expanding disaster relief to cover more 'snow drought' events could increase costs for taxpayers and strain SBA operations, potentially reducing available aid or slowing processing for other disaster victims.
The required 90-day timeline for agencies to issue rules risks rushed or unclear regulations, which could create confusion and implementation problems for small businesses and SBA staff.
The bill's findings and definitions come without dedicated funding or required actions, leaving state and local water managers without new resources to respond effectively despite clearer guidance.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Introduced April 4, 2025 by Tammy Baldwin · Last progress April 4, 2025
Adds “snow drought” to the Small Business Act’s definition of a disaster, directs the Small Business Administration (in consultation with the National Weather Service) to issue implementing rules within 90 days, and requires a Comptroller General report on federal resources and resilience strategies for small businesses harmed by below‑normal snowpack. The measure is limited in scope, does not appropriate funds, and focuses on expanding recognition of snow‑loss events so SBA disaster programs can be evaluated and potentially used to help affected small businesses.