Government operations
Public law 119-58
S. 356
Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025
The law extends Secure Rural Schools payments to eligible states and counties through fiscal year 2026.
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Communities containing federal land retain federal funding, while related local projects and advisory committees receive additional time to operate.
What the law does
- Extends Secure Rural Schools payments and county distribution authority through fiscal year 2026.
- Requires the Department of the Treasury to issue delayed fiscal year 2024 and 2025 payments within 45 days of enactment.
- Deducts prior federal-land payments from 2024 and 2025 program payments to prevent duplicate payments.
- Carries counties’ fiscal year 2023 payment elections forward for 2024 and 2025.
- Extends special-project and county-fund authority through 2028 and related spending deadlines through 2029.
- Extends the resource advisory committee pilot program and waiver authority through fiscal year 2026.
Who it affects
- States and counties containing federal land that qualify for Secure Rural Schools payments.
- Resource advisory committees and participants in federally authorized land projects.
Breakdown
Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025
This law extends the Secure Rural Schools program, which provides payments to states and counties containing federal land, through fiscal year 2026. It also extends related project, committee, and county-fund authorities, sets rules for delayed 2024 and 2025 payments, and makes minor technical corrections.
Key takeaways
- Secure Rural Schools payments and their distribution to eligible counties are authorized through fiscal year 2026.
- For fiscal years 2024 and 2025, prior federal-land payments to a county are deducted from its Secure Rural Schools payment to prevent duplicate payments.
- The Treasury Department must issue all fiscal year 2024 and 2025 payments within 45 days after enactment.
- Counties’ payment elections for fiscal year 2023 remain in effect for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 without requiring new elections.
- Authority for special projects on federal land and use of county funds is extended through 2028, with related spending deadlines extended through 2029.
- The resource advisory committee pilot program and related waiver authority are extended through fiscal year 2026.