Public Land Search and Rescue Act
Latest action (5 Jun 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 3777, the Public Land Search and Rescue Act, would direct the Secretary of the Interior to create a grant program, within one year of enactment, to fund remote search and rescue activities on federal land managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture. Grants could be used to purchase search-and-rescue equipment and gear, maintain or repair such equipment, and reimburse recipients for conducting search and rescue operations. The federal government would cover up to 75 percent of the cost of an eligible project, with the remainder presumably covered by the recipient.
Eligible recipients would be states, their political subdivisions, or designees that are legally authorized to conduct search and rescue operations and that the Secretary determines are capable of carrying out such work. The Secretary would prioritize applications from areas with a high ratio of visitors to residents, which could favor communities near popular but sparsely populated public lands, such as national parks or forests in rural areas. Local governments and search-and-rescue teams operating in these areas would be the primary beneficiaries, gaining a new federal funding source for equipment and operations.
The bill was introduced on June 5, 2025, by Rep. Celeste Maloy and referred to the House Committees on Natural Resources and Agriculture. It has not yet been voted on and would need committee consideration, potential amendment, and approval by both the House and Senate, followed by presidential signature, before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on June 5, 2025. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3777 do?
- H.R. 3777, the Public Land Search and Rescue Act, would direct the Secretary of the Interior to create a grant program, within one year of enactment, to fund remote search and rescue activities on federal land managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture. Grants could be used to purchase search-and-rescue equipment and gear, maintain or repair such equipment, and reimburse recipients for conducting search and rescue operations. The federal government would cover up to 75 percent of the cost of an eligible project, with the remainder presumably covered by the recipient. Eligible recipients would be states, their political subdivisions, or designees that are legally authorized to conduct search and rescue operations and that the Secretary determines are capable of carrying out such work. The Secretary would prioritize applications from areas with a high ratio of visitors to residents, which could favor communities near popular but sparsely populated public lands, such as national parks or forests in rural areas. Local governments and search-and-rescue teams operating in these areas would be the primary beneficiaries, gaining a new federal funding source for equipment and operations. The bill was introduced on June 5, 2025, by Rep. Celeste Maloy and referred to the House Committees on Natural Resources and Agriculture. It has not yet been voted on and would need committee consideration, potential amendment, and approval by both the House and Senate, followed by presidential signature, before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 3777 become law?
- Not yet. As of 5 Jun 2025, H.R. 3777 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3777?
- H.R. 3777 was sponsored by Rep. Celeste Maloy [R-UT2] (Republican-UT), with 7 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3777?
- Introduced (5 Jun 2025).
Related bills in Public Lands and Natural Resources
Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
A bill to redesignate a playground in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in the State of West Virginia as the “Hearts of Gold Playground: In Honor of West Virginia Children and Families Impacted by Childhood Cancer”.
Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act
Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.