California Legislators Urge Congressional Action on Rural Schools Funding Program

Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick led a bipartisan effort this week to secure federal funding for rural California communities, sending a letter to Congress signed by 49 state legislators calling for reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program.

The letter, supported by both Republican and Democratic members from California’s Senate and Assembly, represents Hadwick’s continued advocacy for rural communities following her earlier lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.

Program Details and Impact

The Secure Rural Schools program provides federal funding to counties with substantial federal forest land, supporting local schools, roads, and essential public services. California has historically received approximately $38 million annually since 2012, with 2024 funding totaling around $33 million.

Assembly District 1, which Hadwick represents, received nearly 58% of California’s 2024 allocation—approximately $19 million distributed across all 11 counties in the district. Siskiyou County alone received $4.3 million in 2024 funding.

Legislative Status

The program currently faces uncertainty as it has expired without reauthorization. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S. 356), which would extend funding through 2026. However, the companion bill remains stalled in the House of Representatives.

Without congressional action, rural communities across California and other states face potential cuts to school funding, road maintenance, and other critical public services that depend on SRS allocations.

The bipartisan nature of both the California legislative support and the Senate’s unanimous passage highlights the program’s broad political appeal, though the House’s inaction leaves the funding’s future uncertain.