Bill > HR5829

This bill, known as the Leveraging Aerial Systems for Stewardship Operations (LASSO) Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program for using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, to manage wild horses and burros from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The program will allocate $100,000 annually to support pilot projects that explore the use of drone technology for humanely gathering and managing wild horse and burro populations. Grants will be awarded to organizations with expertise in drone technology and a commitment to equine welfare, with potential projects including using drones for fertility control and herd-health monitoring. Recipients of these grants will be required to submit comprehensive reports to Congress and the Department of Agriculture within 180 days of completing their studies, detailing the results of their pilot projects and evaluating the potential broader applications of drone technology for ranching, animal care, and environmental stewardship. This initiative aims to develop more innovative and potentially less invasive methods for managing wild horse and burro populations on public lands.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5829/all-info