H.R. 439 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 439 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 20, 2023Mr. Stewart (for himself and Mr. Case) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program to allocate resources for remote search and rescue activities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Public Land Search and Rescue Act. 2. Grant program for remote search and rescue activities (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall establish a program (in this Act referred to as the Program) to allocate resources to remote search and rescue activities conducted on lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior. (b) Grant authority In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may award a grant on a competitive basis in accordance with this section. (c) Eligible recipients The Secretary may award a grant under the Program to a State, political subdivision thereof, or their designee, that conducts search and rescue operations, determined by the Secretary to have the authority and capability to carry out a project described in subsection (d). (d) Eligible projects Grant funds awarded under the Program may be used— (1) by an eligible recipient to purchase equipment and gear necessary for remote search and rescue activities; (2) to reimburse an eligible recipient for the cost of maintenance and repair of remote search and rescue equipment owned or leased by an eligible recipient; and (3) by an eligible recipient to reimburse State and local agencies responsible for remote search and rescue activities. (e) Application (1) In general To be eligible for a grant under the Program, an eligible recipient shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (2) Additional application An eligible recipient may submit to the Secretary an additional application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate for additional funding for purposes under subsection (d)(2). (f) Priority The Secretary shall prioritize an application from an eligible recipient who serves an area with a high ratio of visitors to residents. (g) Federal share The Federal share of assistance under the Program shall be 75 percent of the cost of an eligible project. (h) Remote search and rescue activity defined In this section, the term remote search and rescue activity means an activity that utilizes, trains, or supports responders with specialized equipment to locate, provide assistance to, and remove to safety individuals who are lost, injured, stranded, or entrapped in remote areas.