Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025

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.