H.R. 4513

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4513 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4513

To amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to improve 
the management of grazing permits and leases, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 17, 2025

Ms. Maloy introduced the following bill; which was referred 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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to improve 
the management of grazing permits and leases, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Resiliency for Ranching and Natural 
Conservation Health Act''.

SEC. 2. TEMPORARY USE OF VACANT GRAZING ALLOTMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF 
GRAZING PERMITS OR LEASES DURING EXTREME NATURAL EVENTS 
AND DISASTERS.

Title IV of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 405. VACANT GRAZING ALLOTMENTS MADE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS OF 
GRAZING PERMITS OR LEASES DURING EXTREME NATURAL EVENTS 
AND DISASTERS.

``(a) Definition of Secretary Concerned.--In this section, the term 
`Secretary concerned' means--
``(1) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to 
National Forest System land; and
``(2) the Secretary, with respect to public lands.
``(b) Allotments.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary concerned may make 
available to the holder of a grazing permit or lease issued by 
either Secretary concerned the temporary use of a vacant 
grazing allotment if--
``(A) 1 or more grazing allotments covered by the 
grazing permit or lease of the holder of the grazing 
permit or lease are temporarily unusable, as determined 
by the Secretary concerned, because of unforeseen 
natural events or disasters (including an extreme 
weather event, drought, wildfire, infestation, or 
blight); and
``(B) the Secretary concerned determines that the 
vacant grazing allotment is appropriate for temporary 
grazing use.
``(2) Terms and conditions.--In establishing the terms and 
conditions in a permit or lease for the temporary use of a 
vacant grazing allotment made available pursuant to this 
subsection, the Secretary concerned--
``(A) shall take into consideration the terms and 
conditions of the most recent permit or lease that was 
applicable to the vacant grazing allotment;
``(B) if there are no terms or conditions available 
for consideration under subparagraph (A), may assign 
temporary terms or conditions, after considering 
ecological conditions of, or terms on, adjacent grazing 
allotments;
``(C) shall base the terms and conditions on local 
ecological conditions, as determined by the applicable 
official;
``(D) shall take into consideration other factors, 
including any prior agency agreement that resolved or 
sought to resolve a management conflict, including a 
conflict related to State management of wildlife; and
``(E) may authorize the placement and use of 
temporary rangeland improvements (including portable 
corrals, fencing, aboveground pipelines, and water 
troughs) on the vacant grazing allotment to accommodate 
the temporary use.
``(3) Coordination.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Secretaries concerned shall coordinate to make available to 
holders of grazing permits or leases the use of vacant grazing 
allotments, regardless of agency jurisdiction over vacant 
grazing allotments, pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2).
``(4) Effect.--The temporary use of a vacant grazing 
allotment under this subsection shall not--
``(A) preclude or otherwise alter other ongoing or 
future actions or assessments evaluating the potential 
of the vacant grazing allotment to be used or otherwise 
assigned; or
``(B) alter--
``(i) the terms and conditions of the 
original grazing permit or lease of the holder 
of the grazing permit or lease;
``(ii) the preference or ability of the 
holder of the grazing permit or lease to return 
to the original allotment once access to, or 
the use of, the original allotment is restored; 
or
``(iii) the animal unit months in future 
authorizations, or conditions of a permit, of 
the holder of the grazing permit or lease.
``(c) Duration.--The Secretary concerned shall determine the 
duration of the temporary use of a vacant grazing allotment made 
available pursuant to subsection (b), after considering--
``(1) the condition of the vacant grazing allotment; and
``(2) the period of time necessary for the original 
allotment of the holder of the grazing permit or lease to 
return to use.
``(d) Guidelines.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary concerned shall 
establish guidelines to expeditiously, efficiently, and 
effectively carry out activities authorized under this section.
``(2) Considerations.--In establishing the guidelines under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned may consider--
``(A) criteria for determining whether the vacant 
grazing allotment is suitable for temporary grazing 
use;
``(B) eligibility criteria for the holders of 
grazing permits or leases;
``(C) prioritizing holders of grazing permits or 
leases in close proximity to a vacant grazing 
allotment;
``(D) any class or change in class of livestock on 
the temporary use of a vacant grazing allotment, with 
consideration given to local ecological conditions, 
disease, wildlife conflicts, and other factors based on 
localized conditions;
``(E) processes for coordinating with allotments 
adjoining or within the vicinity of a vacant grazing 
allotment; and
``(F) any other processes intended to expedite 
procedures for making vacant grazing allotments 
available during emergent circumstances.
``(e) Periodic Evaluations.--The Secretary concerned shall 
periodically evaluate land health conditions of vacant grazing 
allotments to facilitate the efficient implementation of this 
section.''.
<all>