This bill amends the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, which provides federal funding to local governments that contain federal lands, to better support very small counties. The legislation lowers the minimum population threshold from 5,000 to 500 residents and creates a new tiered payment structure with significantly higher per-capita rates for the smallest counties. Under the new formula, counties with populations around 500 would receive approximately $514.50 per resident, declining gradually to $92.50 per resident for counties with 50,000 people. The changes are designed to ensure that small, sparsely populated counties that host federal lands receive fairer compensation for lost tax revenue and public services. The bill was introduced in April 2026 and does not specify new funding appropriations, instead restructuring how existing PILT funds are distributed among eligible local governments.
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