Congressman Begich Applauds Passage of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dec. 10, 2025 – Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) applauded the House passage of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) through 2026. Rep. Begich, a proud co-sponsor of the House companion bill, celebrated the legislation’s advancement, highlighting its importance to Alaska’s rural communities and school districts that rely on these funds for essential services.

“For more than two decades, Secure Rural Schools funding has been an important lifeline for Alaska’s rural boroughs and school districts,” said Congressman Begich. “This reauthorization ensures that students in remote areas have access to quality education and that borough governments can continue maintaining critical infrastructure despite limited local revenue options. The Secure Rural Schools program demonstrates what bipartisan, practical policy looks like. I’m grateful to my colleagues in both chambers for working together to get this done.”

BACKGROUND:

Alaska is home to over 22 million acres of national forest lands, predominantly in the Tongass and Chugach National Forests. Because these federal lands cannot be taxed, communities in Southeast Alaska and the Copper River region face structural revenue challenges that are unique in the nation.

The Secure Rural Schools program helps close that gap by providing annual payments to eligible boroughs and school districts—particularly in communities such as:

• Wrangell, Petersburg, and Ketchikan, where SRS supports classroom resources, teacher retention, and extracurricular programming.
• The Tongass-region boroughs, which rely on SRS funds for essential road maintenance and emergency response services.
• Rural school districts statewide, which face some of the highest transportation and operational costs in the country.

The bill extends Secure Rural Schools payments through FY2026, ensuring stability for the communities that depend on these funds, while maintaining support for local resource advisory committees that guide federal land management projects. Additionally, the legislation continues support for federal land projects—including forest health, habitat restoration, and wildfire mitigation.

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 now heads to the President’s desk for signature. Once enacted, SRS payments for FY2024 and FY2025 will be distributed within 45 days, offering immediate support for Alaska’s rural communities.

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