Bill > HR774

This bill, known as the PASTURES Act (Protecting Agricultural Spaces Through Effective Ranching Strategies Act), aims to limit the ability of federal agencies to penalize livestock owners for grazing on certain federal lands where grazing was previously permitted but later prohibited. Specifically, the bill prevents the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior from imposing penalties on livestock owners if no fence exists to prevent grazing on "covered lands," which include National Forest System lands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands, and public lands that border private property. The bill mandates that these federal agencies are responsible for constructing and maintaining any fences needed to prevent livestock grazing. The legislation defines livestock as including cattle, bison, horses, sheep, and goats, and it applies to existing grazing permits and leases that are subsequently revoked. By requiring the government to bear the cost of fence construction and maintenance, the bill provides additional protection for ranchers and livestock owners whose grazing rights may be unexpectedly restricted on federal lands.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/774/all-info