Bills · HR 6535
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6535Public Lands and Natural Resources
To extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
INTRO DEC 9· LAST ACTION JAN 13
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it provides crucial and predictable funding for many rural communities that host federal lands but cannot tax those lands directly. Historically, these areas relied on a share of timber sales from federal forests, but as those sales declined, the Secure Rural Schools program stepped in to provide a stable alternative. If this bill does not become law, these counties would lose a significant portion of their budgets, which could force them to cut essential services like schools, libraries, and road repairs.
The extension ensures that these communities can continue to plan and budget for their vital services without the uncertainty of an expiring program. It also allows local communities, through Resource Advisory Committees, to have a say in how some of these federal land funds are used for conservation and community projects, promoting local involvement in land management decisions.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act's secure payments for states and counties from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2026.
This ensures continued financial support for rural counties that rely on these federal funds for essential local services.
PROVISION 02
Establishes special rules for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 payments, requiring reductions if counties have already received funds from older federal land payment programs for those years.
This prevents duplicate payments and clarifies how federal funds are distributed during the transition period.
PROVISION 03
Extends the authority for counties to expend funds and for local committees to conduct special projects on federal land, generally by three years.
This allows communities to continue using the funds for local needs and enables ongoing, locally-driven land management projects.
PROVISION 04
Extends the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) pilot program until 2026.
This allows for continued local input and collaboration on federal land management decisions.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
D· Colorado
YRS IN OFFICE
7
BILLS LED
92
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTSJAN 13
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
DEC 9
Introduced in House
DEC 9
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
DEC 9
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 6535
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedDec 9, 2025
Last actionJan 13, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED DEC 9, 2025
House BillHR 6535Public Lands and Natural Resources
To extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
INTRODUCED DEC 9, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 13, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
