National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (14 Nov 2007): Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
What this bill does
H.R. 4158, the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007, would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue to manage the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. This would involve creating a standardized national network of search and rescue resources, designating specific task forces for participation, and establishing criteria for their involvement. The bill also outlines agreements between FEMA and the agencies sponsoring these task forces.
The legislation affects individuals serving on designated urban search and rescue task forces. If appointed to federal service for specific activities like exercises or disaster response, they would be treated as federal employees for purposes of injury or death benefits. The bill also addresses reimbursement for employers and includes provisions for employment and re-employment rights for these individuals. Additionally, it requires FEMA to establish an advisory committee and enter into cooperative agreements with sponsoring agencies for preparedness and to reimburse response costs.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in November 2007 and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet advanced through the legislative process. For the bill to become law, it would need to be approved by the House, then by the Senate, and finally signed by the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System; (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources; (3) designate task forces to participate in the System and determine criteria for participation; and (4) enter into an agreement with the required sponsoring agency of each task force regarding participation.
Sets forth provisions regarding the composition of task forces and reimbursement.
Authorizes the Administrator to appoint a System member for a period of federal service to participate in sponsored or sanctioned exercises, pre-incident staging, major disaster and emergency response activities, and training events. Entitles a member who suffers personal injury, illness, disability, or death while acting in the scope of such appointment to be treated as an employee who sustained the injury in the performance of duty.
Sets forth provisions regarding election of benefits, liability, employment and re-employment rights, and licenses and permits.
Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish and maintain an advisory committee; and (2) enter into an annual preparedness cooperative agreement with each agency; and (3) enter into response cooperative agreements under which the Administrator agrees to reimburse agencies for emegency response costs.
Timeline
14 Nov 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4158 do?
- H.R. 4158, the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007, would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue to manage the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. This would involve creating a standardized national network of search and rescue resources, designating specific task forces for participation, and establishing criteria for their involvement. The bill also outlines agreements between FEMA and the agencies sponsoring these task forces. The legislation affects individuals serving on designated urban search and rescue task forces. If appointed to federal service for specific activities like exercises or disaster response, they would be treated as federal employees for purposes of injury or death benefits. The bill also addresses reimbursement for employers and includes provisions for employment and re-employment rights for these individuals. Additionally, it requires FEMA to establish an advisory committee and enter into cooperative agreements with sponsoring agencies for preparedness and to reimburse response costs. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in November 2007 and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet advanced through the legislative process. For the bill to become law, it would need to be approved by the House, then by the Senate, and finally signed by the President.
- Has H.R. 4158 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4158. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4158?
- H.R. 4158 was sponsored by Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), with 9 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4158?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. (14 Nov 2007).
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