The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced legislation aimed at providing greater certainty for ranchers who graze livestock on National Grasslands.
The committee passed the Grasslands Grazing Act, introduced by U.S. Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming. The bill would ensure ranchers holding grazing permits on National Grasslands are treated the same as those operating on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management allotments.
Barrasso said ranchers in Wyoming and across the West rely on access to National Grasslands and deserve timely approval of their grazing permits. He noted the legislation would provide stability for ranching families and help keep their operations running strong. The committee vote moves the bill one step closer to consideration by the full Senate.
Currently, grazing on National Grasslands is authorized by the U.S. Forest Service. However, under existing law, only Bureau of Land Management land and National Forest land are formally recognized and protected for grazing under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
As a result, ranchers with National Grasslands permits are not guaranteed renewals in the same way as permittees on other federal lands. Supporters say the Grasslands Grazing Act would amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to expand coverage and provide consistency across federal grazing lands.
The legislation is backed by the Association of National Grasslands and the Public Lands Council.
Cosponsors include Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and John Thune of South Dakota.
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U.S. Senator Barrasso (R-WY) – 2026
