Human Services & Education Policy Steering Committee

U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced the bipartisan Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2026 (S. XXXX). The bill would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program through fiscal year (FY) 2029 and provide critical fiscal certainty for timber-dependent communities in more than 700 counties nationwide that are home to National Forests. The U.S. Forest Service-administered program supports essential government services such as roads, public education and law enforcement.

On Sep. 30, the leaders of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (S. 5653), a comprehensive, bipartisan permitting reform package that would make major changes to several federal environmental protection statutes.

Over 700 counties receive essential resources supporting education, transportation and public safety through SRS

Philanthropic organizations offer a specialized approach to managing proceeds from community benefit agreements struck between counties and energy companies.

The road to domestic energy independence will be paved and maintained by counties, and more than 100 county leaders came to the Texas panhandle to learn how to make the most of the opportunity.

Oil and gas leases on public lands have opened the door for renewables like solar and wind to double dip on energy productions, sweetening the deal for counties.