Sponsors (7)
Creates a new federal grant program to fund remote search and rescue (SAR) activities on Federal land and requires the Department of the Interior to establish the program within one year of enactment. Eligible applicants may apply for funds to support remote SAR operations; the Federal share of any award may not exceed 75 percent, and projects in areas with many visitors relative to residents are given priority.
Establish a program to provide grants for remote search and rescue activities conducted on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, to be set up not later than one year after the date of enactment of the Act.
To be eligible for a grant, an eligible recipient must submit an application to the Secretary in the form, at the time, and containing the information the Secretary determines appropriate.
The Secretary must prioritize grant applications from eligible recipients that serve an area with a high ratio of visitors to residents.
The Federal share of the cost of an eligible purpose funded under the Program shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the eligible purpose, as determined by the Secretary.
Eligible purpose: (A) purchase of equipment and gear necessary for remote search and rescue activities; (B) maintenance and repair costs of remote search and rescue equipment owned or leased by an eligible recipient; (C) reimbursement to an eligible recipient for remote search and rescue activities conducted on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture.
Who is affected and how:
Overall, the bill is narrowly focused, provides financial support to strengthen remote SAR on Federal land, and is likely to improve safety and response capacity where implemented. Implementation details (eligibility definitions, funding availability, and award rules) will determine how widely and quickly benefits flow to communities and responder organizations.
Last progress June 5, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 5, 2025 by Celeste Maloy
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.