The bill amends the Search and Rescue Act to establish clear protocols for federal, state, and local agencies in response to search and rescue (SAR) emergencies in New Mexico. It introduces new definitions, including "SAR emergency," which refers to incidents requiring urgent SAR assistance. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the state SAR resource officer, who will work with various emergency responders to create standardized criteria for notifying the state SAR control agency about SAR emergencies. Additionally, it mandates training for personnel involved in emergency response and establishes a notification process for agencies when a SAR emergency is declared.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that notification to the state SAR control agency does not hinder the deployment of other agencies' resources, such as fire departments and law enforcement. It also requires the state SAR control agency to inform the requesting entity and relevant jurisdictions about the activation of SAR personnel and resources. If resources are not activated, the agency must communicate this decision to the requesting entity. The provisions of this act will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 24-15A-3