Congress recently passed a bill to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program through the 2026 fiscal year, following a bipartisan push. This decision comes after a bipartisan letter urged the U.S. House to act, with only five dissenting votes. The program’s renewal promises crucial funding for rural schools, especially benefiting counties with significant federally-owned forest land.
Montana’s representatives supported the bill, ensuring payments resume after the 2023 lapse. According to Rep. Troy Downing, the Secure Rural Schools Program is essential for educational funding in rural Montana, highlighting its importance for classrooms. The U.S. Forest Service, through a formula, distributes funds based on federal land revenue, impacting schools and infrastructure.
Earlier this year, lawmakers advocated for reauthorization of the “SRS.” The program previously delivered $16 million to 32 Montana counties in 2023, with support from all Montana federal delegates. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy co-sponsored the bill, which passed the Senate in June. The House’s recent vote ensures payments for 2024 and 2025 will be issued within 45 days.
The National Association of Counties’ Executive Director, Matthew Chase, praised the reauthorization as vital for timber-dependent counties. In Montana, counties such as Lincoln, Sanders, and Flathead received significant funds in 2023, with Lincoln County securing $4 million, Sanders $1.6 million, and Flathead $1.2 million.
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