Idaho Delegation Celebrates SRS Reauthorization for Rural Idaho Counties

Washington, D.C.--President Donald Trump today signed S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act, which will reauthorize the SRS program through Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and provide lapsed payments for FYs 2024 and 2025. The Idaho Congressional Delegation celebrated the President's signature as a win for Idaho's rural counties stewarding untaxed federal lands. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch led introduction of the bill in the U.S. Senate and U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher co-sponsored the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Thirty-four of Idaho's 44 counties received SRS payments in 2023. Under Idaho law, 30 percent of SRS funding goes to counties to help with schools and the remaining 70 percent goes to roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. In FY 2023, $22.8 million was distributed to Idaho counties.

"The SRS program is rooted in century-old federal land management policy. Without it, many counties in Idaho and across the country would fall short of the financial means to provide for integral community functions for local residents and visitors alike," said Crapo. "I thank President Trump for signing this important bill into law, and I remain committed to working toward a long-term solution that provides more certainty to rural communities."

"The federal government made a promise to rural communities, and today I'm proud to see President Trump follow through and reauthorize SRS," said Senator Risch. "While we work to bring back historic timber revenue, SRS funding remains vital for Idaho counties to support schools, road maintenance, and other essential services."

"Nearly two-thirds of Idaho is public land, which means a vast majority of rural counties throughout the state depend on the Secure Rural Schools Program," said Representative Simpson. "Renewing this critical program will ensure a vital source of funding for Idaho counties and help pay for essential rural community services. I look forward to seeing this lifeline benefit local communities throughout Idaho for schools and infrastructure projects. As a longtime supporter of the SRS program, I am thrilled to see President Trump sign this into law."

"Having a majority of Idaho's lands under federal government control forces our rural counties to rely on federal programs-such as Secure Rural Schools (SRS)-to support infrastructure projects, schools, and critical community services," said Representative Fulcher. "I am grateful to President Trump for signing this important measure into law, and I am appreciative of Speaker Mike Johnson and House Leadership for their collaborative efforts to get it on the House floor, and passed. However, a long-term solution is necessary, and I will continue to advocate for one in Congress that ensures Idahoans dictate Idaho affairs-not the federal government."

"The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) is deeply grateful for Senator Crapo's leadership in securing renewed funding for the Secure Rural Schools Act," said Idaho Association of Counties Executive Director Seth Grigg. "His steadfast determination and advocacy, along with the continued support of Senator Risch and Representatives Simpson and Fulcher, make a real difference for the safety of Idahoans. This funding is essential for timber counties across Idaho to maintain critical road infrastructure, invest in public safety, and support the basic services Idaho residents rely on every day."

"This funding is essential to counties that have historically received resources from revenue-generating activities on federal lands within their boundaries," said Julia Lauch, Idaho State Forester. "The impact is greatest in rural counties dominated by federal land. State Forestry Agencies have strong partnerships with counties to further active management on neighboring lands and protect communities from wildfire risk; Secure Rural Schools' funds contribute to this work. This is shared stewardship in action, which in Idaho we have coined "no boundaries forestry".

The advocacy of Idaho County, among many others across Idaho and our country, on behalf of the reauthorization was instrumental in reaching enactment of the legislation. Idaho County receives the largest portion of SRS funding in the state. Local community leaders helped make the case for the need for its reauthorization given the impacts of its absence.

"Senator Crapo's leadership has been indispensable in restoring Secure Rural Schools funding," said Idaho County Commissioner Skip Brandt. "His efforts give rural timber counties in Idaho the stability we need to keep school bus routes safe and to continue basic road and public safety services. This is a big win for Idaho County and other rural counties throughout Idaho that rely heavily on these dollars. We appreciate Senator Crapo's willingness to lead the charge and get it done when other people thought it was too late."

Members of the Idaho Congressional Delegation have been long-term advocates of the SRS program, which has been extended and amended multiple times since its inception in 2000.

Passage of the bill comes on the heels of a bipartisan, bicameral letter signed by 89 lawmakers, including Crapo, Risch and Fulcher.

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