Secure Rural Schools - The Act
Since 2000, Congress has reauthorized the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act through other laws. Depending on the year, the reauthorizations extended or amended the program. Any questions about program implementation and administration are addressed by referring to Title 16, Chapter 90 of the U.S. Code.
2025 – Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025
Extended the Secure Rural Schools program until 2026.
2021 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Extended the Secure Rural Schools program until 2023
2020 - Further Consolidated Appropriations Act
Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal years 2019 and 2020
2018 - Agriculture Improvement Act
Added the Resource Advisory Committee Membership Composition Waiver to reduce membership requirements from 15 to no fewer than nine
Added the Regional Appointment Pilot Program for Arizona and Montana
2018 - Consolidated Appropriations Act
Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal years 2017 (retroactive) and 2018
Expanded authorized Title III uses
Amended county allocation guidelines between titles
Repealed timber contracting pilot program
2015 - Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act
Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal years 2014 and 2015
2013 - Helium Stewardship Act
Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal year 2013
2012 - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act
Extended the Secure Rural Schools Program for fiscal year 2012
Modified the annual declining full funding amount to 5% (sunset provision)
Called for County payment selections
Allowed for Resource Advisory Committee administrative expenses of not more than 10%
2008 - Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
Public Law 110-343 (PDF, 561 KB)
Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal years 2008-2011
Revised the payment calculation formula
Called for county payment elections every two years
Provided Resource Advisory Committee guidelines for Title II
Instituted timber contracting pilot program
Established an annual declining full funding amount of 10%
2007 - U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery & Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act
Public Law 110-28 (PDF, 383 KB)
Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal year 2007
2000 - Secure Rural Schools & Community Self-Determination Act
Enacted the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal years 2001-2006
1908 - Act of May 23 (as amended)
Public Law 110-343 (PDF, 28 KB)
The annual average of 25 percent of 7 fiscal years of receipts from each national forest shall be paid to the State or Territory in which said forest is situated, to be expended for the benefit of the public schools and public roads of the county or counties in which the forest is situated.
If the Secure Rural Schools Act is not reauthorized, counties will revert back to receiving the 1908 Act (25%) payments (as in fiscal year 2016).