Public land search bill sparked by Las Vegas man’s death advances in House

WASHINGTON — Less than a week after hearing a family’s plea, a House panel advanced a bill Wednesday to cut red tape for search and recovery missions on public land.

Jodi Goldberg, the sister of murdered Las Vegas cabdriver Keith Goldberg, testified June 6 that National Park Service insurance requirements kept professional volunteers from searching for her brother at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area for nine months.

When Red Rock Search and Rescue finally entered the park on April 14, Keith Goldberg’s remains were located in two hours.

Leaders of the House Natural Resources Committee promised to act quickly on a bill by Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., that would require permits to be granted within 48 hours for search or recovery missions on public lands. It also would waive insurance requirements for qualified nonprofit volunteer outfits.

On Wednesday the Heck bill, the Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act, was approved by the committee without debate.

It next goes to the House floor.

“The Good Samaritan search bill will help bring closure for the families of missing persons,” Heck said.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.