States Begin Billing to Rescue Adventurers | Drudge Retort

Monday, February 18, 2013

States Begin Billing to Rescue Adventurers

In some parts of the U.S., an outdoor adventurer who requires search and rescue in a remote area may get billed for the cost. Utah, Maine and Idaho allow local agencies to bill for rescues when recklessness, illegal activity or false information contributed to the incident. "In the rare case where a person took unnecessary risks, that person should be sent a bill," said Wyoming state Rep. Keith Gingery (R), who proposed such a law in his state. Some rescue officials fear the charges will cause some people not to call for help when they need it. "I, for one, am happy to go out and rescue someone, free of charge," said Dan Lack, chairman of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Association.

Posted by rcade at 06:34 PM | 19 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Personal attacks, profanity, abusive conduct and expressions of prejudice are not allowed. If you have comments about site moderation, contact the site publisher in email.

about time!

#1 | Posted by path at 2013-02-18 06:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

We're finally starting to see some common sense policies in this country. It's amazing what budget deficits can do for the brainless. Now if we could carry that over to the demoratic low information and partisan voter, the country might have a fighting chance for survival

#2 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-18 06:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

Im ok with this?

#3 | Posted by rearendhat at 2013-02-18 08:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

Charging people who start forest fires with the cost of putting them out works wonders as well.

#4 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-02-18 09:17 PM | Reply | Flag:

So we could charge corporations for the cost of cleaning up their pollution? What with them being persons and all.

#5 | Posted by MajorKong at 2013-02-18 09:26 PM | Reply | Flag:

Let's charge banks with the cost of the economic downturn while we're at it.

#6 | Posted by snoofy at 2013-02-18 10:01 PM | Reply | Flag:

SO why cant we take this approach to all STUPID decisions with FORSEABLE outcomes that are the result of Personal Choice and Activities?

#7 | Posted by GotTruth at 2013-02-19 04:51 AM | Reply | Flag:

By applying Reductio ad absurdum, we can easily see this is a bad idea.

E.g. charging people for fire services, would instantly discourage calls when a fire has started, thereby causing more damage, and possibly damage to other peoples property.

Just like any business, there are operating costs. To a state, rescue operations are an operating cost.

Not everything is a zero sum deal.

.

#8 | Posted by Roy_Batty at 2013-02-19 07:11 AM | Reply | Flag:

I thought taxes fund government operations. How silly.

Just wait till homeowners in TX, CA and CO start getting bills for fighting forest fires around their homes. Then the shrill screaming outrage will start.

#9 | Posted by 726 at 2013-02-19 08:31 AM | Reply | Flag:

In AZ they have a 'dumb motorist' law. If you go around a road closed sign and get caught in a flash flood wash you have to pay for your rescue.

It's about time people have to pay for their stupidity.

#10 | Posted by Sniper at 2013-02-19 10:59 AM | Reply | Flag:

How much should we charge the folks that put Bush in office for 8 years?

#11 | Posted by Mutant9 at 2013-02-19 11:01 AM | Reply | Flag:

In AZ they have a 'dumb motorist' law.
#10 | Posted by Sniper

We all have our specialties.

#12 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-19 11:02 AM | Reply | Flag:

Mut,

A lot less than we should charge the folks who put Obama in office for his first 4 years.

#13 | Posted by bogey1355 at 2013-02-19 12:03 PM | Reply | Flag:

How much should we charge the folks that put Bush in office for 8 years?

#11 | Posted by Mutant9

We are paying for it right now by electing little o.

#14 | Posted by Sniper at 2013-02-19 12:47 PM | Reply | Flag:

We all have our specialties.

#12 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

I'll bet you have paid that fee more than once.

#15 | Posted by Sniper at 2013-02-19 12:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

Well, for once I'm in agreement with a Republican.......
...now if they could only apply this nationwide......
How about trying to help our country to get back on its feet???...
........instead of blocking the potus at everything he suggests
and then accuse him of not doing a thing......boy that takes gall!!

#16 | Posted by saginawmi at 2013-02-19 02:41 PM | Reply | Flag:

instead of blocking the potus at everything he suggests

Maybe he should "suggest" something that republicans and conservatives and for that matter 50% of the nation can get behind maybe he would have more success.

#17 | Posted by boaz at 2013-02-19 05:03 PM | Reply | Flag:

Maybe he should "suggest" something that republicans and conservatives and for that matter 50% of the nation can get behind maybe he would have more success.

LOL

When he proposes things that are/were Repub ideas, the Repubs are suddenly against them.

You have to be the most obtuse person in the world not to see that the current GOP is a child throwing a tantrum saying "NO" to everything offered, regardless of whether they really want it or not.

#18 | Posted by jpw at 2013-02-19 06:03 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Just wait till homeowners in TX, CA and CO start getting bills for fighting forest fires around their homes. Then the shrill screaming outrage will start."

Are you being serious. That would be about as dumb as making gun owners cover costs incurred by illegal use of guns by others.

Anyway, unless the homeowners you referenced specifically acted in some manner that caused the fire, I'm not sure why you would hold them responsible. Contrast that with someone, say, such as myself, who spends a lot of time in very remote areas. If I get myself in a bind, why shouldn't I have to pay for the cost of recovery.

As a sidenote, I wrecked a brand new ATV last summer in the Sunlight Basin of Northern Wyoming. The ATV was written off as a $5000 loss. My insurance company had to fork over $7200 in order to have it pulled out of the ravine where it wound up.

Maybe insurance is the answer. In fact, I think you can already get it. My brother did after being life-flighted out of the Idaho wilderness after crashing a motorbike.

#19 | Posted by madbomber at 2013-02-19 10:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

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