Bill Overview
Title: Public Land Search and Rescue Act of 2022
Description: 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.
Sponsors: Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2]
Target Audience
Population: People visiting or working on federal public lands in the United States
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill focuses on improving search and rescue operations on public lands managed by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior, affecting those who visit or work in these areas.
- Public lands receive millions of visitors annually, including tourists, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts, who are potential beneficiaries of improved search and rescue operations.
- There is a significant number of search and rescue operations conducted annually on public lands, many involving individuals lost or in distress.
- The bill impacts those working in tourism and outdoor recreation who depend on visitor safety and assurance.
- Local and state agencies involved in search and rescue operations will see a direct benefit from increased federal support and resources.
Reasoning
- The population impacted includes those who frequently visit and work on federal public lands. Millions of visitors frequent these areas for recreation and tourism, creating a need for efficient search and rescue operations.
- This policy is likely to have a significant impact on organizations involved in search and rescue on public lands, financially supporting them and improving safety.
- However, the impact on individual visitors or hikers may be subtle unless they directly benefit from improved emergency services during their visits.
Simulated Interviews
Park Ranger (Denver, CO)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will provide much-needed funds to improve our search and rescue capabilities.
- It will help ensure that we have the latest equipment, leading to safer and more successful rescues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Tourist Guide (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm relieved that safety will be a priority with this new funding.
- It means I can assure tourists about the availability of rescue operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Hiking Enthusiast (Seattle, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing there are improved rescue operations gives me peace of mind when hiking with my family.
- I fully support the increase in resources for public safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Volunteer Search and Rescue Member (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy acknowledges the importance of what we do and could significantly improve our capacity.
- Better equipment would mean safer missions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I probably won't encounter rescue services, better preparedness is reassuring.
- Seems like a good initiative for outdoor newcomers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Climbing Instructor (Flagstaff, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved rescue times from better resources could save climbers' lives.
- This policy is particularly valuable for high-risk activities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Librarian (Springfield, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate improved safety measures for our public lands, even if I'll likely never need them.
- This seems like a positive move for tourism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Tech Executive (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced search and rescue would encourage me to explore more risky routes.
- The policy seems like a solid investment in safety infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Small Business Owner (Bend, OR)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill should reassure tourists, which is good for business.
- Safer adventure areas might boost sales of specialized gear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Emergency Medical Technician (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could streamline our support roles, allowing for faster responses in emergencies.
- It makes our jobs safer and potentially saves more lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $64000000)
Year 5: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 10: $70000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $80000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Key Considerations
- The program's reliance on cooperative agreements with state and local governments, which requires appropriate planning and management to ensure effective execution and use of funds.
- Potential regulatory or administrative burdens for grant application and management, which could affect how quickly and effectively funds are deployed.
- The bill offers no clear sunset clause or end date for spending, implying a long-term commitment with fluctuating annual expenditure based on visitor traffic and area needs.
- Changes in visitor patterns or decreases in national park interest could significantly shift demand for search and rescue operations, affecting required funding.