Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 356

119th Congress

Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025

Held at the desk.

Introduced:Feb 3, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Christopher Murphy

Senator

Democratic

CT

Cosponsors

27

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act extends payments to states and counties containing federal lands through FY2026, with provisions for FY2024 and FY2025. It extends authority for county-initiated projects using these funds through FY2028 and extends resource advisory committee project authority through FY2028. These payments compensate for lost timber revenue from federal lands.

Latest Action

Signed by President.

SponsorChristopher Murphy (D-CT)

Introduced2/3/2025

StatusHeld at the desk.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act extends payments to states and counties containing federal lands through FY2026, with provisions for FY2024 and FY2025. It extends authority for county-initiated projects using these funds through FY2028 and extends

Community Breakdown

Pass

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Fail

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0 predictions

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act extends payments to states and counties containing federal lands through FY2026, with provisions for FY2024 and FY2025. It extends authority for county-initiated projects using these funds through FY2028 and extends resource advisory committee project authority through FY2028. These payments compensate for lost timber revenue from federal lands.

Bill Number: 356
Sponsor: Christopher Murphy (D-CT)
Introduced: 2/3/2025
Status: Held at the desk.
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025
Bill Number: 356
Sponsor: Christopher Murphy (D-CT)
Status: Held at the desk.
Introduced: 2/3/2025
Summary: The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act extends payments to states and counties containing federal lands through FY2026, with provisions for FY2024 and FY2025. It extends authority for county-initiated projects using these funds through FY2028 and extends resource advisory committee project aut

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act extends payments to states and counties containing federal lands through FY2026, with provisions for FY2024 and FY2025. It extends authority for county-initiated projects using these funds through FY2028 and extends resource advisory committee project authority through FY2028. These payments compensate for lost timber revenue from federal lands.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025This bill extends and modifies the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, including by<ul><li>extending payments made to states and counties containing federal land through FY2026,</li><li>providing for payments for FY2024 and FY2025,</li><li>extending the authority of counties to initiate projects using such funds through FY2028, and</li><li>extending the authority to initiate projects proposed by resource advisory committees through FY2028.</li></ul>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Extends federal land payments through FY2026
Provides payments for FY2024 and FY2025
Extends county project authority through FY2028
Extends resource advisory committee authority through FY2028
Compensates for lost timber revenue
Supports rural schools and roads in forest counties

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Rural counties with large amounts of federal forest land historically received revenue from timber sales. As timber harvesting declined on federal lands, these counties lost significant funding for schools and roads. The Secure Rural Schools program provides replacement payments but requires periodic reauthorization. This extension ensures continued support for rural communities dependent on these funds while counties pursue other revenue sources.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Subjects

Advisory bodies

Education programs funding

Intergovernmental relations

Rural conditions and development

State and local finance

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

356, 119th Congress (2025). "Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-356