Primer for Counties: Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Programs
Upcoming Events
Related News
The second report of the National Center for Public Lands Counties (NCPLC) provides foundational PILT and SRS program information to public lands counties including brief histories of both programs, detailed “mechanics” of payment administration and county-level issues, and policy considerations for both programs.
As frontline service providers, public lands counties face growing responsibilities with limited revenue. Understanding the complexities of payment allocation requirements is essential to informed decision making. The report also provides examples from five counties across the western United States to illustrate the challenges public lands counties face.
Featured Initiative
National Center for Public Lands Counties
The NACo Center for Public Lands Counties is dedicated to advancing the policy and practice study of America’s public lands counties. Our mission is to deepen the understanding and address the unique challenges faced by counties containing federal lands through strategic research and collaboration.
Related News
U.S. House of Representatives passes SPEED Act and other permitting reform bills
On December 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SPEED Act (H.R. 4776). The SPEED Act would strengthen county involvement in decision-making and make needed commonsense reforms to the federal environmental review process.
House Natural Resources Committee advances the Endangered Species Act Amendments Act of 2025
On December 17, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Amendments Act of 2025 (H.R. 1897). The version passed by the committee adopted several changes from the initial bill and would address key county concerns by improving the implementation of the ESA. The legislation now awaits a floor vote before the whole U.S. House of Representatives.
County Countdown – Dec. 15, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.