BILL NUMBER: AB 2031	CHAPTERED  08/30/04

	CHAPTER  326
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 30, 2004
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 27, 2004
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 12, 2004
	PASSED THE SENATE  JULY 12, 2004
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 8, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 29, 2004

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cogdill

                        FEBRUARY 13, 2004

   An act to amend Section 26614 of the Government Code, relating to
search and rescue.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2031, Cogdill.  Search and rescue.
   Existing law provides that the board of supervisors of a county
may authorize the sheriff to search for and rescue persons who are
lost or are in danger of their lives.
   This bill would require that the authorization for search and
rescue activities be consistent with guidelines and operating plans
developed and adopted by the Office of Emergency Services except as
provided.  The bill would require that office to make the plan
available to counties and fire protection and law enforcement
agencies for use and adoption by the board of supervisors and the
governing boards of all search and rescue providers.  The bill would
state that counties are encouraged to adopt and review their plans on
a regular basis.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 26614 of the Government Code is amended to
read:
   26614.  The board of supervisors of a county may authorize the
sheriff to search for and rescue persons who are lost or are in
danger of their lives within or in the immediate vicinity of the
county.  The expense incurred by the sheriff in the performance of
those duties shall be a proper county charge. Authorization for
search and rescue activities shall be consistent with guidelines and
operating plans contained in the Search and Rescue Model Operating
Plan, as developed and adopted by the Office of Emergency Services in
consultation with fire protection and law enforcement service
providers. The Office of Emergency Services shall make the plan
available to counties and fire protection and law enforcement
agencies for use and adoption by the board of supervisors and the
governing boards of all search and rescue providers. If the board
assigns responsibility for search and rescue activities in a manner
that is inconsistent with these model operating guidelines, the board
shall adopt a resolution to clarify why the local model provides
better protections than the Search and Rescue Model Operating Plan,
as developed by the Office of Emergency Services, to residents in
need of county search and rescue services.  Counties are encouraged
to adopt their countywide search and rescue plans and to review them
on a regular basis.  A review of a countywide search and rescue plan
shall include, but is not limited to, changes made to the Search and
Rescue Model Operating Plan by the Office of Emergency Services.
This section shall not be construed to vest any additional powers for
search and rescue upon sheriffs or any other public safety agency
that provides search and rescue.