Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 6300
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-02-11: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 14.
Last Updated: 2026-06-15T19:57:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025 aims to update federal land management rules to ensure that ranchers with grazing agreements on national grasslands—public lands managed for grass-based ecosystems and livestock use—are eligible for the same types of grazing leases and permits as those on other federal lands, promoting consistency in treatment across different government-managed areas.

Key Provisions

Short Title: The bill is named the "Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025."
Amendment to Existing Law: It modifies Section 402(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), which governs grazing on certain federal lands. The change replaces the phrase "lands within National Forests" with "National Forest System (as defined in the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974) land." The National Forest System includes national forests, grasslands, and related areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Limitations on Scope: The amendment only affects the specific grazing eligibility section of FLPMA and does not alter other parts of FLPMA, nor does it impact:
Title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (which deals with farm tenancy and land use on certain federal properties).
Section 11 of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (which addresses rangeland health and improvements).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Previously, FLPMA's grazing lease and permit provisions explicitly applied only to "lands within National Forests," potentially excluding or treating national grasslands differently, even though they are part of the broader National Forest System managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.
This bill explicitly includes national grasslands in the definition, allowing ranchers there to access the same FLPMA-based grazing authorizations (such as term permits, typically 10 years renewable) that apply to lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or other federal areas. This creates uniformity without overhauling the entire legal framework for national grasslands.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The U.S. Forest Service (which oversees national grasslands) may need to align its grazing management processes more closely with FLPMA standards, potentially simplifying administration but requiring updates to policies or procedures. The BLM, which primarily uses FLPMA for grazing, could see indirect benefits through standardized practices across federal lands.
Citizens: Ranchers and livestock producers with existing grazing agreements on national grasslands (primarily in states like those in the Great Plains) gain clearer access to long-term permits, reducing uncertainty in their operations and supporting rural economies dependent on public land grazing. Environmental groups or recreation users might see minimal direct change, as the bill limits its scope to avoid broader alterations.
International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic land management issue focused on U.S. public lands.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Ranchers and Livestock Operators: Primary beneficiaries, especially those in western and plains states with historical grazing rights on national grasslands, as they receive equal footing with permit holders on other federal lands.
U.S. Forest Service and Department of Agriculture: Responsible for implementing changes on national grasslands, potentially affecting how they issue and renew grazing authorizations.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Indirectly involved, as the bill promotes parity with BLM-managed grazing lands under FLPMA.
Local Communities and Economies: Rural areas reliant on agriculture and ranching may experience stabilized land use, though conservation advocates could monitor for any unintended effects on grassland ecosystems.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens clarity in federal land law by resolving potential ambiguities in how FLPMA applies to the National Forest System, avoiding disputes over grazing rights. It preserves existing statutes (e.g., Bankhead-Jones Act) to prevent conflicts, ensuring the change is narrow and targeted.
Constitutional: No major issues; the bill operates within Congress's authority under the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), which allows regulation of federal lands for public benefit.
Political: Supports agricultural interests by addressing perceived inequities in federal land access, potentially appealing to lawmakers from ranching-heavy districts. It avoids broader controversies by explicitly limiting changes, reducing risks of legal challenges from environmental or tribal stakeholders.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

Recent Actions

2026-02-11: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 14.
2026-02-11: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2026-02-11: Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
2026-01-14: Subcommittee Hearings Held
2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
2026-01-07: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
2025-11-25: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-11-25: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-11-25: Introduced in House
2025-11-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-25 — PDF (2 pages)