LASSO Act preserves county revenue sharing, directs public lands funds to Social Security

Key Takeaways

On February 10, the U.S., House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing examining the Land and Social Security Optimization (LASSO) Act (H.R. 34), which would direct a portion of revenues generated on public lands to fund the Social Security system. Introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (R-Ariz.), this measure would protect federal revenue sharing to counties while encouraging active use of public lands.

What is the LASSO Act?

The LASSO Act would direct ten percent of revenues generated from all public lands activities into accounts that fund retirement and survivors’ benefits in the Social Security system. Public lands produce revenue for the federal government through leasing and royalty payments from timber, energy and mineral projects as well as through fees on outdoor recreation uses.  

Importantly, the bill protects revenue shared with states and counties, meaning that no state or local government would see their payments reduced as an outcome of the law. By redirecting funding toward the Social Security system, the LASSO Act would help ensure its continued solvency and additionally incentivize responsible, productive use of federal public lands. A version of this bill was previously introduced by Rep. Gosar during the 118th Congress.

Impact on counties

By federal law, portions of the revenue generated by public lands are distributed to counties or states. Some states choose to pass portions or all those revenues along to local governments. The LASSO Act would not affect any payment received by a county or by a state, protecting county budgets.

NACo continues to monitor any proposal that might impact federal lands revenue payments to counties.