Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect HCR013.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.C.R. 13

             1     

SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Michael E. Noel

             5     
Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor expresses support for
             10      the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination
             11      Act of 2000.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This resolution:
             14          .    expresses support for the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and
             15      Community Self-Determination Act of 2000; and
             16          .    urges Utah's congressional delegation to support efforts to reauthorize the Act.
             17      Special Clauses:
             18          None
             19     
             20      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
             21          WHEREAS, for over a century, the United States Forest Service has managed federal
             22      forest resources under multiple use and sustain yield principles for long-term revenue;
             23          WHEREAS, in the late 1990s, the United States Forest Service limited revenue to
             24      counties and school districts through management practices, which significantly reduced
             25      revenue streams available to counties and school districts in timber resource areas;
             26          WHEREAS, prior to Fiscal Year 2008, Utah counties and schools received
             27      approximately $2,000,000 annually from these revenue streams;


             28          WHEREAS, the revenues lost to counties and schools were mitigated by the Federal
             29      Government through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of
             30      2000;
             31          WHEREAS, the United States Congress reauthorized the Secure Rural Schools Act in
             32      October 2008 for an additional four years and amended the distribution formula;
             33          WHEREAS, $16,000,000 was distributed by Fiscal Year 2008 to Utah schools and
             34      counties, on an annual 10% diminishment down to $11,800,000 for Fiscal Year 2011;
             35          WHEREAS, the Secure Rural Schools Act will expire September 30, 2011, unless
             36      reauthorized by Congress to begin in Fiscal Year 2012;
             37          WHEREAS, the distribution formula for these funds is based on forest acreage, forest
             38      receipts, and per capita income; and
             39          WHEREAS, funding to counties and schools under the Secure Rural Schools Act
             40      provides vital and necessary funding to maintain roads and is often a critical funding source for
             41      education in rural communities:
             42          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
             43      Governor concurring therein, express support for the reauthorization of the Secure Rural
             44      Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
             45          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge Utah's
             46      congressional delegation to support efforts to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and
             47      Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
             48          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United
             49      States Forest Service, the United States Department of Education, the Utah Association of
             50      Counties, the Utah State Board of Education, the Utah State Office of Education, and to the
             51      members of Utah's congressional delegation.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-7-11 5:55 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]