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PASTURES Act
3/12/2025, 8:07 AM
Summary of Bill HR 774
The main purpose of this bill is to protect livestock owners from facing penalties for grazing their animals on federal lands that were previously open for grazing but are later closed off. The bill seeks to limit the ability of the government to penalize these owners for actions that were permissible at the time they were taken.
In addition to addressing grazing rights on federal lands, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to livestock grazing. The bill aims to provide clarity and protection for livestock owners who rely on federal lands for grazing their animals. Overall, Bill 119 hr 774 seeks to ensure that livestock owners are not unfairly penalized for grazing their animals on federal lands where grazing was previously allowed but later prohibited. The bill aims to strike a balance between protecting the interests of livestock owners and managing federal lands effectively.
Congressional Summary of HR 774
Protecting Agricultural Spaces Through Effective Ranching Strategies Act or the PASTURES Act
This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior from imposing penalties on livestock owners for grazing on certain public lands.
Under the bill, covered lands are National Forest System lands, lands administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or public lands (1) on which grazing is allowed by a permit or lease on or after the date of the bill's enactment and is then subsequently prohibited, and (2) that border private property.
Specifically, the departments may not impose a penalty on an owner of livestock (including cattle, bison, horses, sheep, and goats) for grazing on covered lands that do not have a fence to prevent grazing.
The bill specifies that USDA or Interior, depending on the covered land, is responsible for any expense related to the construction or maintenance of a fence for the prevention of grazing by livestock.
