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