HB 24-1309 Summary

• Grants civil liability immunity to volunteers who arrange, operate, or assist as crew members in helicopter search and rescue operations, provided they meet specified safety, training, and certification requirements.

• Requires volunteer helicopter pilots to hold a commercial pilot license with instrument rating, minimum 1,500 total flight hours (including 500 mountainous helicopter hours and 100 hours in the specific helicopter type), and FAA certification within the previous 12 months.

• Mandates that helicopters used in search and rescue operations undergo training with rescue teams within 12 months prior to use, operate under an approved safety management system, and meet FAA maintenance standards.

• Creates an airspace deconfliction working group to establish guidelines for multiple aircraft involved in search and rescue operations by January 1, 2025, with the working group repealing on January 1, 2026.

• Requires county sheriffs to establish policies or procedures for adhering to airspace deconfliction guidelines when multiple aircraft may be involved in search and rescue operations within their jurisdiction.