Thompson Helps Introduce Effort to Reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools Program

Thompson district includes Potter County

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) today joined Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Joe Neguse (D-CO) in introducing the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act. 

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS), first enacted in 2000, provides funding for schools, roads, and essential services in counties with significant amounts of tax-exempt federal land tracts of land covered by national forests.
“Without reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools Program, many local education agencies may miss future payments, through no fault of their own,” said Rep. Thompson. “This bipartisan coalition of members representing forested counties across the country shows the real appetite to get this done as soon as possible.”

“For rural counties, including those in my own district, Secure Rural Schools funding is essential. This program ensures that schools stay open, roads are maintained, and emergency services are available, even when federal timber revenues fall short,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “In 2024 alone, California received $33.7 million through this program—funding that helps keep classrooms running and supports vital services like public safety and infrastructure. These funds replace the lost timber tax receipts that local governments once relied on. Without this funding, rural areas would struggle to provide even the most basic services. This bill ensures these counties have the resources they need for now, but we should be working to restore the timber industry so that these areas can actually provide revenue instead of relying on stopgap programs like SRS.”

“The Secure Rural Schools program is a vital lifeline for folks in our rural and mountain communities. It unlocks funding for students and schools, wildfire mitigation initiatives, emergency search and rescue services, road maintenance, and more,” said Rep. Neguse. “I’m proud to co-lead this critical bill and will continue to advocate for the needs of folks across Colorado’s Western Slope.”
Since its enactment, SRS has provided $7 billion in payments to more than 700 counties and 4,400 school districts across 40 states.