Public Land Search and Rescue Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.8451 | Sponsor: Rep. Stewart, Chris (R-UT)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Public Land Search and Rescue Act of 2022
This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a program to allocate resources to remote search and rescue activities conducted on lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior.
DOJ may award a grant under the program to a state or a political subdivision to (1) purchase equipment and gear necessary for remote search and rescue activities, (2) reimburse such an eligible recipient for the cost of maintenance and repair of remote search and rescue equipment owned or leased by the recipient, and (3) reimburse state and local agencies responsible for remote search and rescue activities.
DOJ must prioritize an application from an eligible recipient who serves an area with a high ratio of visitors to residents.
The federal share of assistance under the program shall be 75% of the cost of an eligible project.

To direct the Attorney General to establish a grant program to allocate 
   resources for remote search and rescue activities, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Public Land Search and Rescue Act of 
2022''.

SEC. 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 Attorney General 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 Attorney 
General may award a grant on a competitive basis in accordance with 
this section.
    (c) Eligible Recipients.--The Attorney General may award a grant 
under the Program to a State or a political subdivision thereof 
determined by the Attorney General 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 Attorney 
        General an application in such form, at such time, and 
        containing such information as the Attorney General determines 
        to be appropriate.
            (2) Additional application.--An eligible recipient may 
        submit to the Attorney General an additional application in 
        such form, at such time, and containing such information as the 
        Attorney General determines to be appropriate for additional 
        funding for purposes under subsection (d)(2).
    (f) Priority.--The Attorney General 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.
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