Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act

Bill: 114-hr-373
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3]
Introduced: 2015-01-14
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: First responders and emergency personnel

Forests, forestry, trees

Government liability

Land use and conservation

Life, casualty, property insurance

Parks, recreation areas, trails

Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Latest action: action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 338.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-01-14
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act </b></p> <p> Directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a process to provide eligible organizations and individuals expedited access to federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, which are searches for one or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. </p> <p>Sets forth procedures for the approval or denial of requests made by eligible organizations or individuals to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission. </p> <p>Requires Interior and USDA to develop search-and-recovery focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and expedite and accelerate mission efforts for missing individuals. </p>

action_date: 2015-04-15
action_desc: Reported to House without amendment, Part I
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><b>Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act </b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a process to provide eligible organizations and individuals expedited access to federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, which are searches for one or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. </p> <p>The bill sets forth procedures for the approval or denial of requests made by eligible organizations or individuals to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission. </p> <p> Interior and USDA shall develop search-and-recovery focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and expedite and accelerate mission efforts for missing individuals.</p>

action_date: 2015-04-28
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p><b>Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act </b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a process to provide eligible organizations and individuals expedited access to federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, which are searches for one or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. </p> <p>The bill sets forth procedures for the approval or denial of requests made by eligible organizations or individuals to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission. </p> <p> Interior and USDA shall develop search-and-recovery focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and expedite and accelerate mission efforts for missing individuals.</p>

action_date: 2015-12-16
action_desc: Reported to Senate without amendment
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on April 28, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><b>Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act </b></p> <p> (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a process to provide eligible organizations and individuals expedited access to federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, which are searches for one or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. </p> <p>The bill sets forth procedures for the approval or denial of requests made by eligible organizations or individuals to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission. </p> <p> Interior and USDA shall develop search-and-recovery focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and expedite and accelerate mission efforts for missing individuals. </p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 373 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 14, 2015 Mr. Heck of Nevada (for himself, Mr. LaMalfa , Mr. Amodei , Mr. Zinke , Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania , Mr. McClintock , Mr. Valadao , and Mr. Hardy ) 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 and Secretary of Agriculture to expedite access to certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act . 2. Expedited access to certain Federal land (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible The term eligible , with respect to an organization or individual, means that the organization or individual, respectively, is— (A) acting in a not-for-profit capacity; and (B) certificated in training that meets or exceeds standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials. (2) Good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission The term good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission means a search for 1 or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable. (b) Process (1) In general Each Secretary shall develop and implement a process to expedite access to Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for eligible organizations and individuals to request access to Federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions. (2) Inclusions The process developed and implemented under this subsection shall include provisions to clarify that— (A) an eligible organization or individual granted access under this section— (i) shall be acting for private purposes; and (ii) shall not be considered to be a Federal volunteer; (B) an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section shall not be considered to be a volunteer under section 102301(c) of title 54, United States Code; (C) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Tort Claims Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual carrying out a privately requested good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section; and (D) chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Employees Compensation Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, and the conduct of the good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission shall not constitute civilian employment. (c) Release of Federal Government from liability The Secretary shall not require an eligible organization or individual to have liability insurance as a condition of accessing Federal land under this section, if the eligible organization or individual— (1) acknowledges and consents, in writing, to the provisions described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(2); and (2) signs a waiver releasing the Federal Government from all liability relating to the access granted under this section. (d) Approval and denial of requests (1) In general The Secretary shall notify an eligible organization or individual of the approval or denial of a request by the eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section by not later than 48 hours after the request is made. (2) Denials If the Secretary denies a request from an eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, the Secretary shall notify the eligible organization or individual of— (A) the reason for the denial of the request; and (B) any actions that the eligible organization or individual can take to meet the requirements for the request to be approved. (e) Partnerships Each Secretary shall develop search-and-recovery-focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations— (1) to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary; and (2) to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary. (f) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to Congress a joint report describing— (1) plans to develop partnerships described in subsection (e)(1); and (2) efforts carried out to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary pursuant to subsection (e)(2).

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 373 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to expedite access to certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act . 2. Expedited access to certain Federal land (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible The term eligible , with respect to an organization or individual, means that the organization or individual, respectively, is— (A) acting in a not-for-profit capacity; and (B) composed entirely of members who, at the time of the good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission, have attained the age of majority under the law of the State where the mission takes place. (2) Good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission The term good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission means a search conducted by an eligible organization or individual for 1 or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable. (b) Process (1) In general Each Secretary shall develop and implement a process to expedite access to Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for eligible organizations and individuals to request access to Federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions. (2) Inclusions The process developed and implemented under this subsection shall include provisions to clarify that— (A) an eligible organization or individual granted access under this section— (i) shall be acting for private purposes; and (ii) shall not be considered to be a Federal volunteer; (B) an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section shall not be considered to be a volunteer under section 102301(c) of title 54, United States Code; (C) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Tort Claims Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual carrying out a privately requested good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section; and (D) chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Employees Compensation Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, and the conduct of the good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission shall not constitute civilian employment. (c) Release of Federal Government from liability The Secretary shall not require an eligible organization or individual to have liability insurance as a condition of accessing Federal land under this section, if the eligible organization or individual— (1) acknowledges and consents, in writing, to the provisions described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(2); and (2) signs a waiver releasing the Federal Government from all liability relating to the access granted under this section and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States from any claims or lawsuits arising from any conduct by the eligible organization or individual on Federal land. (d) Approval and denial of requests (1) In general The Secretary shall notify an eligible organization or individual of the approval or denial of a request by the eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section by not later than 48 hours after the request is made. (2) Denials If the Secretary denies a request from an eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, the Secretary shall notify the eligible organization or individual of— (A) the reason for the denial of the request; and (B) any actions that the eligible organization or individual can take to meet the requirements for the request to be approved. (e) Partnerships Each Secretary shall develop search-and-recovery-focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations— (1) to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary; and (2) to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary. (f) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to Congress a joint report describing— (1) plans to develop partnerships described in subsection (e)(1); and (2) efforts carried out to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary pursuant to subsection (e)(2).

Passed the House of Representatives April 28, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 373 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 29, 2015 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources AN ACT To direct the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to expedite access to certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act . 2. Expedited access to certain Federal land (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible The term eligible , with respect to an organization or individual, means that the organization or individual, respectively, is— (A) acting in a not-for-profit capacity; and (B) composed entirely of members who, at the time of the good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission, have attained the age of majority under the law of the State where the mission takes place. (2) Good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission The term good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission means a search conducted by an eligible organization or individual for 1 or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable. (b) Process (1) In general Each Secretary shall develop and implement a process to expedite access to Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for eligible organizations and individuals to request access to Federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions. (2) Inclusions The process developed and implemented under this subsection shall include provisions to clarify that— (A) an eligible organization or individual granted access under this section— (i) shall be acting for private purposes; and (ii) shall not be considered to be a Federal volunteer; (B) an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section shall not be considered to be a volunteer under section 102301(c) of title 54, United States Code; (C) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Tort Claims Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual carrying out a privately requested good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section; and (D) chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Employees Compensation Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, and the conduct of the good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission shall not constitute civilian employment. (c) Release of Federal Government from liability The Secretary shall not require an eligible organization or individual to have liability insurance as a condition of accessing Federal land under this section, if the eligible organization or individual— (1) acknowledges and consents, in writing, to the provisions described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(2); and (2) signs a waiver releasing the Federal Government from all liability relating to the access granted under this section and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States from any claims or lawsuits arising from any conduct by the eligible organization or individual on Federal land. (d) Approval and denial of requests (1) In general The Secretary shall notify an eligible organization or individual of the approval or denial of a request by the eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section by not later than 48 hours after the request is made. (2) Denials If the Secretary denies a request from an eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, the Secretary shall notify the eligible organization or individual of— (A) the reason for the denial of the request; and (B) any actions that the eligible organization or individual can take to meet the requirements for the request to be approved. (e) Partnerships Each Secretary shall develop search-and-recovery-focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations— (1) to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary; and (2) to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary. (f) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to Congress a joint report describing— (1) plans to develop partnerships described in subsection (e)(1); and (2) efforts carried out to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary pursuant to subsection (e)(2).

Passed the House of Representatives April 28, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 54 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 373 [Report No. 114–75, Part I] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 14, 2015 Mr. Heck of Nevada (for himself, Mr. LaMalfa , Mr. Amodei , Mr. Zinke , Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania , Mr. McClintock , Mr. Valadao , and Mr. Hardy ) 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 April 15, 2015 Additional sponsor: Mr. Westerman April 15, 2015 Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources April 15, 2015 The Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to expedite access to certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act . 2. Expedited access to certain Federal land (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible The term eligible , with respect to an organization or individual, means that the organization or individual, respectively, is— (A) acting in a not-for-profit capacity; and (B) certificated in training that meets or exceeds standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials. (2) Good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission The term good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission means a search for 1 or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable. (b) Process (1) In general Each Secretary shall develop and implement a process to expedite access to Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for eligible organizations and individuals to request access to Federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions. (2) Inclusions The process developed and implemented under this subsection shall include provisions to clarify that— (A) an eligible organization or individual granted access under this section— (i) shall be acting for private purposes; and (ii) shall not be considered to be a Federal volunteer; (B) an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section shall not be considered to be a volunteer under section 102301(c) of title 54, United States Code; (C) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Tort Claims Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual carrying out a privately requested good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section; and (D) chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Employees Compensation Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, and the conduct of the good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission shall not constitute civilian employment. (c) Release of Federal Government from liability The Secretary shall not require an eligible organization or individual to have liability insurance as a condition of accessing Federal land under this section, if the eligible organization or individual— (1) acknowledges and consents, in writing, to the provisions described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(2); and (2) signs a waiver releasing the Federal Government from all liability relating to the access granted under this section. (d) Approval and denial of requests (1) In general The Secretary shall notify an eligible organization or individual of the approval or denial of a request by the eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section by not later than 48 hours after the request is made. (2) Denials If the Secretary denies a request from an eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, the Secretary shall notify the eligible organization or individual of— (A) the reason for the denial of the request; and (B) any actions that the eligible organization or individual can take to meet the requirements for the request to be approved. (e) Partnerships Each Secretary shall develop search-and-recovery-focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations— (1) to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary; and (2) to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary. (f) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to Congress a joint report describing— (1) plans to develop partnerships described in subsection (e)(1); and (2) efforts carried out to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary pursuant to subsection (e)(2).

April 15, 2015 Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources April 15, 2015 The Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 338 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 373 [Report No. 114–193] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 29, 2015 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources December 16, 2015 Reported by Ms. Murkowski , without amendment AN ACT To direct the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to expedite access to certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act . 2. Expedited access to certain Federal land (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible The term eligible , with respect to an organization or individual, means that the organization or individual, respectively, is— (A) acting in a not-for-profit capacity; and (B) composed entirely of members who, at the time of the good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission, have attained the age of majority under the law of the State where the mission takes place. (2) Good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission The term good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission means a search conducted by an eligible organization or individual for 1 or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable. (b) Process (1) In general Each Secretary shall develop and implement a process to expedite access to Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for eligible organizations and individuals to request access to Federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions. (2) Inclusions The process developed and implemented under this subsection shall include provisions to clarify that— (A) an eligible organization or individual granted access under this section— (i) shall be acting for private purposes; and (ii) shall not be considered to be a Federal volunteer; (B) an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section shall not be considered to be a volunteer under section 102301(c) of title 54, United States Code; (C) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Tort Claims Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual carrying out a privately requested good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section; and (D) chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Employees Compensation Act ), shall not apply to an eligible organization or individual conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, and the conduct of the good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission shall not constitute civilian employment. (c) Release of Federal Government from liability The Secretary shall not require an eligible organization or individual to have liability insurance as a condition of accessing Federal land under this section, if the eligible organization or individual— (1) acknowledges and consents, in writing, to the provisions described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(2); and (2) signs a waiver releasing the Federal Government from all liability relating to the access granted under this section and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States from any claims or lawsuits arising from any conduct by the eligible organization or individual on Federal land. (d) Approval and denial of requests (1) In general The Secretary shall notify an eligible organization or individual of the approval or denial of a request by the eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section by not later than 48 hours after the request is made. (2) Denials If the Secretary denies a request from an eligible organization or individual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission under this section, the Secretary shall notify the eligible organization or individual of— (A) the reason for the denial of the request; and (B) any actions that the eligible organization or individual can take to meet the requirements for the request to be approved. (e) Partnerships Each Secretary shall develop search-and-recovery-focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations— (1) to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary; and (2) to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary. (f) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to Congress a joint report describing— (1) plans to develop partnerships described in subsection (e)(1); and (2) efforts carried out to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing individuals on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary pursuant to subsection (e)(2).

December 16, 2015 Reported without amendment