WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress has reauthorized funding for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which plays a crucial role in supporting counties with large amounts of federal land.
Areas such as national forests and tribal reservations are not subject to property taxes. This results in local governments losing revenue that would typically support schools and public services.
SRS funds are especially critical for Northwest states, as the Colville, Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests occupy significant portions of county property in the region. Historically, these counties have relied on a 25% share of revenue from timber sales on federal lands.
However, logging in national forests has faced heavy restrictions over the last 30 years. Language in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act mandates that those proceeds go to the federal government instead of the counties.
Every House representative and senator from Washington, Idaho and Oregon voted in favor of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, which was first introduce in February by Representative Doug LaMalfa of California.
The bill was referred to both the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural Resources for consideration, as well as the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
It now awaits the president’s signature.
