The bill establishes a Back Country Search and Rescue Grant Program to support organizations and volunteers engaged in back country search and rescue operations. It introduces a new definition of "Back country search and rescue," which includes activities aimed at locating lost, injured, or deceased individuals in remote areas, necessitating specialized expertise and equipment. The bill also amends existing definitions within RCW 38.52 to clarify terms related to emergency management, communication systems, and search and rescue organizations, thereby reinforcing the importance of local emergency management organizations and their collaboration with recognized search and rescue groups.

Additionally, the bill enhances Washington State's emergency management laws by updating the definition of "Washington state patrol public safety answering points" and modifying provisions to include compensation for emergency workers involved in back country search and rescue activities. It emphasizes intergovernmental cooperation in emergency management and the development of continuity of operations plans. The newly established grant program will be administered by the department responsible for emergency management and funded through a back country search and rescue account, prioritizing grants for frontier and rural counties and distressed areas to assist with the costs associated with back country search and rescue operations.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 38.52.020
Substitute Bill: 38.52.020