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Senate committee forwards resolution urging reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools funding
Summary
The Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee voted to move House Joint Resolution 5, which urges the U.S. Congress and president to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act to restore payments to Alaska communities.
The Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee on April 8 voted to move House Joint Resolution 5, urging the U.S. Congress and the president to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act so communities in Alaska can again receive federal payments tied to federal land. Trevor Shaw, district chief for Representative Bynum, reintroduced the measure for the committee and described the request to Congress.
Shaw said the measure asks Congress to reauthorize the program and described the scale of prior payments: "that program has expired and, is, in order to be reauthorized and for those communities to receive those payments again, would have to be reauthorized by the United States Congress and signed by the president into law." He noted federal payments under the program included about "$12,600,000" to communities in Alaska in fiscal year 2023.
Dr. Angie Galanos, superintendent for Cape City School District, told the committee the program is a critical revenue source for small rural districts that have large tracts of federal land and very limited local tax bases. "This funding is a critical part of our state required local contribution for education," she said, adding the payments provide stability that helps districts retain staff and sustain programs.
The committee opened and closed public testimony without further speakers in the room and then proceeded to a motion. The vice chair moved HJR 5 from committee with individual recommendations and an accompanying fiscal note; there was no objection and the motion carried.
Background: The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act provided payments to counties and other local units in jurisdictions with large amounts of federal land; its expiration has meant those payments must be reauthorized by federal action for distribution to resume. House Joint Resolution 5 does not create state-level payments; it is an urging resolution asking federal lawmakers to act.
The committee record shows the bill was reintroduced by staff for Representative Bynum and moved from committee by the vice chair without objection.
Looking ahead: The resolution will be transmitted per legislative practice to the Senate and catalogued for any subsequent scheduling or referral to other committees as required by chamber rules.
