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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.

2021 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Public Law No: 117-58

  • Extended the Secure Rural Schools program until 2023 

2020 - Further Consolidated Appropriations Act

Public Law 116-94

  • Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal years 2019 and 2020

2018 - Agriculture Improvement Act

Public Law 115-834

  • 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

Public Law 115-141

  • 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  • Repealed timber contracting pilot program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

Public Law 114-10

  • Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal years 2014 and 2015

2013 - Helium Stewardship Act

Public Law 113-40 

  • Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal year 2013

2012 - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act

Public Law 112-141

  • 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

  • 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 Appropritions Act

Public Law 110-28

  • Extended the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal year 2007

2000 - Secure Rural Schools & Community Self-Determination Act

Public Law 106-393

  • Enacted the Secure Rural Schools program for fiscal years 2001-2006

1908 - Act of May 23 (as amended)

Public Law 110-343

  • 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).
https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/secure-rural-schools/act