On September 30, 2026, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and James Risch (R-ID), along with Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2026 (S. 5608), to extend the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, through fiscal year (FY) 2029. The SRS program expired on September 30, 2026. Under the extension, counties would receive their final payments in early 2030. In FY 2025, SRS paid more than $230 million to over 700 counties. This measure is a clean reauthorization, making no changes to the program or its funding formula. It would give counties until the end of FY 2031 to start projects and until the end of FY 2032 to obligate funds. A separate measure, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Clarification Act (S. 5607), would make a technical change for certain counties in Oregon with Oregon & California Railroad lands. The House of Representatives has not yet introduced a companion to the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2026. For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton.