Salem, OR. — Oregon legislators welcomed congressional passage of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, citing its importance to county governments that rely on federal forest lands for revenue.
The legislation, S. 356, reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 and extends payments to eligible states and counties through fiscal year 2026. It also provides payments for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and extends the authority for counties and resource advisory committees to initiate projects using SRS funds through fiscal year 2028.
Sen. David Brock Smith, R–Port Orford, said the funding is critical for counties that depend on it to support basic public services. He noted that Congress had not reauthorized the program since 2024, creating budget uncertainty for rural communities. Brock Smith credited bipartisan collaboration in Congress for advancing the bill.
Rep. Virgle Osborne, R–Roseburg, emphasized the significance of the funding for timber-dependent regions, describing it as long-overdue assistance for counties facing revenue shortfalls. Rep. Court Boice, R–Gold Beach, said the payments fulfill longstanding federal obligations tied to the large amount of federal land within Oregon counties.
While welcoming the reauthorization, Brock Smith said the funding does not fully offset rising costs faced by counties and is not a permanent solution. He said state and federal leaders would continue pursuing broader reforms related to federal land management and county revenue stability.
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