119-S-2787 Journalist Public Summary
119 · S 2787 Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025
S. 2787 makes a narrow edit to federal grazing law so ranchers who graze on national grasslands are clearly eligible for the same 10‑year permits and renewals as on other National Forest System lands; supporters frame it as a technical fix, while conservation voices warn about already‑limited oversight; it was introduced September 11, 2025 and received a Senate hearing on February 12, 2026, and remains in committee. (congress.gov)
Headline Summary
Aligns grazing rules so ranchers on national grasslands get the same 10‑year permit treatment as on other federal forest lands. (congress.gov)
What It Does
The Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025 changes one phrase in federal law: it swaps “lands within National Forests” for “National Forest System land” in Section 402(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). Because national grasslands are part of the National Forest System, this clarifies they’re covered by the standard 10‑year grazing permit/lease framework. The bill also says it doesn’t alter other laws that govern these lands, such as the Bankhead‑Jones Farm Tenant Act and the Public Rangelands Improvement Act. (congress.gov)
Who’s For It
- Sponsors and cosponsors: Sen. John Barrasso (R‑WY), Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R‑WY), and Sen. John Thune (R‑SD). (congress.gov)
- Ranching groups such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council generally support measures that increase certainty for federal grazing and emphasize “multiple use” of public lands. (ncba.org)
Who’s Against It
- Conservation and wildlife advocates often oppose policies that expand or further entrench grazing rights, arguing they can reduce environmental review and harm streams, soils, and native species; recent investigative reporting has highlighted lax oversight of grazing‑permit renewals. (boisestatepublicradio.org)
- Some point out that national grasslands are administered under the Bankhead‑Jones Act and caution against changes they worry could weaken those safeguards. (law.cornell.edu)
What’s Next
Status as of February 13, 2026: S. 2787 was introduced on September 11, 2025 and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; a committee hearing was held on February 12, 2026. It remains in committee and would typically need a markup and committee vote before a full Senate vote. A companion bill (H.R. 6300) was introduced in the House on November 25, 2025. (congress.gov)
Discussion