H.R. 774 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent 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, Jan 28, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLimits grazing penalties on some public lands
The government would not be allowed to penalize livestock owners for their cattle, bison, horses, sheep, or goats grazing on certain public lands—specifically National Forests, wildlife areas, or lands where grazing was once permitted but then got banned. The catch: the land has to be unfenced and border private property. The government would also become responsible for building and maintaining any fences needed to keep livestock out.
How it affects you
Livestock owners who graze animals on qualifying public lands would face fewer penalties from the government. For everyone else, this mainly affects how federal agencies manage public grazing land and who pays for fencing—costs that would shift to the USDA and Interior Department rather than to individual ranchers.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 28, 2025)
Protecting Agricultural Spaces Through Effective Ranching Strategies Act or the PASTURES Act
This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior from imposing penalties on livestock owners for grazing on certain public lands.
Under the bill, covered lands are National Forest System lands, lands administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or public lands (1) on which grazing is allowed by a permit or lease on or after the date of the bill's enactment and is then subsequently prohibited, and (2) that border private property.
Specifically, the departments may not impose a penalty on an owner of livestock (including cattle, bison, horses, sheep, and goats) for grazing on covered lands that do not have a fence to prevent grazing.
The bill specifies that USDA or Interior, depending on the covered land, is responsible for any expense related to the construction or maintenance of a fence for the prevention of grazing by livestock.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 774
A BILL
PASTURES Act
Sponsor: Rep. Harriet M. Hageman (R-WY-At Large) · Introduced Jan 28, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 28, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.”