Overview

• Reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, extending federal payments to rural counties through fiscal year 2013 (originally set to expire in 2006)
• Affects counties with national forest or BLM lands that historically received revenue-sharing from timber harvests
• Status: Introduced in House on January 4, 2007, with bipartisan support from 30 cosponsors

Who does this affect?

• Main groups: Rural counties near national forests and BLM lands (primarily in Western states), school districts in these counties, local governments managing roads and public services
• Who benefits: Counties receive stable federal payments when timber revenue declines; schools and infrastructure projects get predictable funding
• Who loses: No direct losers, though federal budget absorbs payment costs
• Teen impact score: 5/10 (indirect impact via school funding and community resources)
• Families in rural forest counties benefit from stable school funding and local services when timber revenue drops

What This Bill Does

• Extends program authorization from 2006 to 2013 (7-year extension) by amending multiple sections of the original 2000 Act
• Allows counties to switch back to traditional 25% or 50% timber revenue-sharing payments during the last quarter of fiscal year 2006, effective for 2007 payments
• Clarifies payment sources: If Treasury Secretary anticipates shortfall, all federal revenues/fees/penalties from forest lands (excluding trust fund deposits) must be reserved for county payments that fiscal year
• Removes term limits for resource advisory committee members, allowing unlimited reappointments (previously limited)
• Expands pilot program authority: Resource advisory committees can request pilot programs to implement proposed projects without Secretary pre-approval requirement
• Creates 90-day reporting deadline: Counties must notify Agriculture or Interior Secretary after each fiscal year, specifying projects funded, authorized uses satisfied, and amounts spent on federal/state/private lands
• Requires annual Secretary report to Congress (due 150 days after fiscal year end) summarizing county notifications and assessing program success

Legislative Status

• Introduced in 110th Congress, referred to House Agriculture Committee and House Natural Resources Committee for consideration
• Last action: Sponsor remarks published in Congressional Record on February 12, 2007
• Has not advanced beyond introduction stage

In short

• Extends federal payments to rural counties near national forests through 2013 when timber revenue falls short.
• Counties can choose between new payment formula or traditional timber revenue-sharing (25% or 50% of receipts).
• Resource advisory committees gain more flexibility to implement local conservation and infrastructure projects.
• Counties must report annually on how they spend federal funds (schools, roads, forest projects).
• Ensures payment funding by reserving federal land revenues when shortfalls are anticipated.

Why should I care?

Rural communities near national forests face budget crises when timber harvests decline due to environmental protections or market changes. This bill stabilizes funding for schools, roads, and emergency services in counties where federal land makes up most of the tax base. For teens in these areas, it means predictable school budgets, maintained roads for buses, and funded search-and-rescue operations. Without these payments, rural school districts might cut programs, increase class sizes, or reduce school days. The bill also supports local conservation projects that protect forests and watersheds communities depend on for jobs and recreation.