National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016
Latest action (16 Dec 2016): Became Public Law No: 114-326.
What this bill does
The National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016 establishes a formal framework for the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is directed to administer this system, which aims to create a nationwide network of standardized search and rescue resources. FEMA will designate urban search and rescue teams, set criteria for their participation, and establish agreements with the sponsoring state or local government agencies. The agency will also maintain management and technical teams necessary to operate the system.
The Act affects individuals who are part of designated urban search and rescue teams. FEMA may appoint these team members for periods of federal service to participate in exercises, training, and disaster response activities. This appointment is made without regard to standard federal civil service employment rules and does not make them federal employees for most purposes. The Act also outlines provisions for FEMA to reimburse sponsoring agencies for training, equipment, and medical monitoring, as well as for response costs incurred during emergencies. FEMA is required to report on a plan for financing, maintaining, and replacing system equipment.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2016 and was subsequently enacted into law after being signed by the President on December 16, 2016.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 7, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct 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 to assist states and local governments in responding to hazards; (3) designate urban search and rescue teams to participate in the system, determine participation criteria, and enter into an agreement with the state or local government agency sponsoring each team with respect to such participation; and (4) maintain management and technical teams necessary to administer the system.
FEMA may appoint a system member for a period of federal service to provide for the participation of such member in exercises, pre-incident staging, major disaster and emergency response activities, and training events sponsored or sanctioned by FEMA.
FEMA shall enter into: (1) an annual preparedness cooperative agreement under which amounts shall be made available to a sponsoring agency for training and exercises, acquisition and maintenance of equipment, and medical monitoring required for responder safety and health; and (2) a response cooperative agreement under which FEMA shall reimburse a sponsoring agency for costs incurred in responding to a major disaster or emergency.
FEMA shall submit a report on the development of a plan to finance, maintain, and replace system equipment.
Timeline
16 Dec 2016
Became Public Law No: 114-326.
Common questions
- What does S. 2971 do?
- The National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016 establishes a formal framework for the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is directed to administer this system, which aims to create a nationwide network of standardized search and rescue resources. FEMA will designate urban search and rescue teams, set criteria for their participation, and establish agreements with the sponsoring state or local government agencies. The agency will also maintain management and technical teams necessary to operate the system. The Act affects individuals who are part of designated urban search and rescue teams. FEMA may appoint these team members for periods of federal service to participate in exercises, training, and disaster response activities. This appointment is made without regard to standard federal civil service employment rules and does not make them federal employees for most purposes. The Act also outlines provisions for FEMA to reimburse sponsoring agencies for training, equipment, and medical monitoring, as well as for response costs incurred during emergencies. FEMA is required to report on a plan for financing, maintaining, and replacing system equipment. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2016 and was subsequently enacted into law after being signed by the President on December 16, 2016.
- Has S. 2971 become law?
- Yes. S. 2971 has been enacted. Status last updated 16 Dec 2016.
- Who sponsored S. 2971?
- S. 2971 was sponsored by Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] (R-OH), with 7 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2971?
- Became Public Law No: 114-326. (16 Dec 2016).
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