SB 5631
In CommitteeSenate
Back country search & rescue
Supporting back country search and rescue organizations and volunteers through the creation of the back country search and rescue grant program.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill creates a new grant program to financially support back country search and rescue efforts in Washington, helping organizations and local governments cover costs for equipment, training, and operations. It also updates definitions in existing emergency management law to better reflect the unique needs of remote-area rescues.
- Creates the back country search and rescue grant program, administered by the state military department, to provide financial support to eligible organizations and local governments.
- Establishes the back country search and rescue account in the state treasury to receive and disburse funds from legislative appropriations, donations, and other sources.
- Grants may be used for planning, equipment, training, exercises, and operations related to back country search and rescue, including reimbursement for volunteer expenses.
- Eligible recipients include registered nonprofit search and rescue organizations and local governments (counties and cities) that incur unreimbursed costs for such operations.
- The program prioritizes support for remote-area rescues requiring specialized training and equipment, distinguishing them from standard urban or near-urban search and rescue.
Who is affected
- Back country search and rescue organizations — Nonprofit search and rescue organizations that conduct operations in remote, rugged areas may receive grants to cover costs like equipment, training, planning, and volunteer reimbursement.
- Local governments (counties and cities) — Counties and cities may receive grants to support local search and rescue efforts, especially where other funding sources (like insurance or state reimbursement programs) don’t cover the full cost.
- Search and rescue volunteers — Volunteers who participate in back country rescues may benefit indirectly through improved equipment, training, and potential reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred during missions.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
The creation of a dedicated grant program significantly improves the capacity and sustainability of back country SAR—reducing fatalities and injuries in remote areas by enabling better equipment, more frequent training, and volunteer expense reimbursement. This directly benefits Washingtonians who recreate, commute, or live in mountainous or forested regions where back country incidents are common.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)Local governments (especially rural counties) gain a reliable state funding source to cover unreimbursed SAR costs, reducing the need to divert funds from other essential services (e.g., road maintenance, public health) or raise local taxes to cover emergency response shortfalls.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(b)By formally recognizing and financially supporting volunteer SAR teams, the bill strengthens a critical, underfunded layer of Washington’s emergency response infrastructure—particularly vital in areas where state and local resources are stretched thin.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)The program’s focus on remote-area rescues addresses a unique gap: standard emergency funding often excludes specialized back country operations, leaving volunteer SAR teams to self-fund life-saving work. This correction improves equity in emergency response access across geography.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)Volunteer reimbursement provisions reduce the financial disincentive to participate in SAR missions, potentially increasing volunteer retention and readiness—though this benefit is indirect and depends on grant uptake and disbursement speed.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)
Potential Concerns (5)
The grant program directly improves public safety by enabling back country search and rescue (SAR) organizations to purchase essential equipment, conduct specialized training, and cover volunteer out-of-pocket expenses—reducing response times and improving outcomes for lost/injured persons in remote areas. This is especially critical in Washington’s rugged terrain where delays can be fatal.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)Counties and cities—particularly rural ones with limited budgets—can now access state funding to cover unreimbursed SAR costs that would otherwise strain local emergency budgets or go unpaid, reducing fiscal pressure on local taxpayers.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(b)Volunteers benefit from direct reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., fuel, gear, meals), which lowers the personal financial barrier to participation and may increase volunteer retention and readiness—critical in areas where professional SAR resources are scarce.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)The program prioritizes remote-area rescues requiring specialized training, which may disproportionately benefit rural counties with more wilderness terrain, while urban counties with fewer back country incidents may see minimal direct benefit—potentially widening regional equity gaps in emergency response capacity.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(1)While not designed as an economic stimulus, increased demand for outdoor gear, training services, and logistics support may provide modest revenue boosts to local outdoor retailers and training providers near high-activity SAR zones.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)
Who Is Most Affected
Volunteers gain direct financial relief for out-of-pocket costs and improved equipment/training, lowering barriers to participation and potentially increasing team capacity. However, benefits depend on timely grant disbursement and administrative burden.
Rural counties benefit most, as they face higher SAR demands and fewer alternative funding sources; urban counties may see minimal benefit due to lower back country incident rates.
Nonprofit SAR organizations gain critical operational stability and capacity to expand services, but must navigate application processes and may face uneven funding based on proposal quality or regional priorities.