Bill · H.R. 5785· House(119-HR-5785)
Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 10/17/2025
- Last activity
- 10/17/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Adam Smith
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2025," aims to expand the authorization for voluntary Federal grazing permit retirement. It focuses on Federal lands managed by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior across 16 Western States. The legislation allows permittees to permanently end livestock grazing on specific allotments through a voluntary waiver. Once a waiver is accepted, the Secretary must ensure a permanent end to grazing on that area and cannot issue new permits for it. The program is subject to annual limits on the number of permits accepted.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill facilitates the permanent reduction of livestock grazing on Federal lands through voluntary retirement.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill provides increased flexibility for grazing permittees and lessees to make decisions about their livestock operations.
The opposite
Does this invest in rural communities?-3
The bill allows for the permanent cessation of livestock grazing activities in Western States, which may affect rural economies.
Would farmers be better off under this?-2
The bill requires permittees who waive their rights to also waive all claims to their range developments like fences and structures.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?-2
The permanent end to grazing on certain allotments may impact the agricultural character and economy of rural communities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Flexibility for Operators: The bill aims to provide Federal grazing permittees and lessees with more opportunities and flexibility when making decisions regarding the future of their livestock operations (Section 2).
-
Conflict Resolution: Expanding the authority for these voluntary retirements is intended to aid in the resolution of land and resource management conflicts (Section 2).
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Reduction of Grazing Levels on Common Allotments: In cases where a waiver affects an area covered by another permit, the Secretary will reduce the level of commercial livestock grazing to reflect the waiver, ensuring a permanent reduction (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loss of Range Developments: Any permittee or lessee who chooses to waive their grazing permit or lease is considered to have waived any claim to all range developments on that land, such as structures or fences (Section 5).
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Annual Limits on Participation: The program is limited by strict caps, meaning the Secretaries can accept no more than 100 grazing permits total across all 16 Western States per fiscal year, and no more than 25 permits in any single State (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Rural Development-3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Farmers-2Good For Rural Residents-2
- 10/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia