Senate passes bill to extend Secure Rural Schools program

By Manuel Quiñones | 11/13/2024 06:25 AM EST

The legislation enjoys broad bipartisan support.

Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and ranking member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) preside over a hearing.

Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and ranking member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) sponsored legislation to extend the Secure Rural Schools program. Francis Chung/POLITICO

The Senate approved bipartisan legislation Tuesday evening to extend the popular Secure Rural Schools program through 2026.

The chamber passed an amended version of S. 2581, from Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), by voice vote. It secures payments to counties with public forestland to make up for lost property tax revenue.

“Today’s action in the Senate gets us one step closer to providing the funding certainty upon which rural county governments can rely,” Crapo said in a statement.

Companion legislation, H.R. 5030, is pending in the House from Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Val Hoyle (D-Ore.).

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