Overview
- With the Senate having passed the bill in June, House approval sends the Secure Rural Schools reauthorization to the president for signature.
- The package provides retroactive payments to cover the lapse since late 2023, reviving support for schools, roads, law enforcement and wildfire work in counties with untaxable federal land.
- The legislation steers roughly $471 million nationally, including more than $40 million for 39 California counties that rely on the program.
- Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz said the measure will deliver about $50 million per year to the state’s timber‑dependent counties.
- If signed, the first payments are expected about 45 days later, as bipartisan sponsors Ron Wyden, Mike Crapo, Jeff Merkley and Jim Risch press for a longer‑term solution.