CAMPER Act

To assist States and local governments to develop and implement emergency notification systems suitable for use on public recreational lands, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Communication and Alert Maintenance Program for Early Response Act CAMPER Act 2. Department of Homeland Security assistance for development and implementation of emergency notification systems for use on State and local government recreational lands (a) Technical assistance authorized The Secretary of Homeland Security may provide technical assistance to a State or local government to develop and implement an emergency notification system suitable for use on public recreational lands administered by the State or local government to warn persons using such lands of emergency situations, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism or other man-made disasters. (b) Implementation grants (1) Grants authorized The Secretary of Homeland Security may make grants, on a competitive basis, to States and local governments to procure and install emergency notification systems on public recreational lands, as described in subsection (a). (2) Maximum grant A grant under this subsection may not exceed $50,000. (3) Cost-sharing requirements (A) Recipient share A grant recipient shall provide matching non-Federal funds, either in cash or in-kind support, in an amount equal to not less than five percent of the Federal funds provided in a grant under this subsection. (B) Waiver The Secretary may establish conditions under which the cost-sharing requirements of subparagraph (A) may be reduced or waived. (c) Reporting requirement For each fiscal year in which technical assistance and grants are provided under this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report— (1) describing the present state of preparedness of State park and recreation departments to provide adequate emergency notification in the event of emergency situations, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism or other man-made disasters; and (2) containing such recommendations for additional legislative action as the Secretary considers appropriate.

Summary: Communication and Alert Maintenance Program for Early Response Act or the CAMPER Act Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) provide technical assistance to a state or local government to develop and implement an emergency notification system to warn persons using public recreational lands administered by such government of emergency situations, and (2) make grants to state and local governments to procure and install such systems. Limits a grant to $50,000. Requires a recipient to match not less than 5% of the federal funds provided. Authorizes the Secretary to establish conditions under which the cost-sharing requirement may be reduced or waived. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees, for each fiscal year such assistance is provided, regarding: (1) the state of preparedness of state park and recreation departments to provide adequate emergency notification, and (2) recommendations for appropriate additional legislative action.