Leveraging Aerial Systems for Stewardship Operations (LASSO) Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would test using unmanned aerial systems (drones) to humanely gather and manage wild horses and burros. It would create a small grant program under the Wild Free‑Roaming Horses and Burros Act to fund pilot projects and related fertility‑control research.
Show full summary
- Organizations and universities with drone expertise and a record in equine welfare could receive grants to run pilot studies and technology trials.
- Projects could test whether drones can safely gather animals, help apply humane fertility control, and support herd‑health efforts.
- Grant recipients must report results to Congress and make them public within 180 days after each study ends.
- Recipients must also submit evaluations to the House Agriculture Committee and the Department of Agriculture on drone uses for ranching, animal care, and environmental stewardship.
*Would allocate $100,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for these grants under the Wild Free‑Roaming Horses and Burros Act.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Drone pilot grants for wild horses
If enacted, the Interior Department would fund small grants to test drones (unmanned aerial systems) for humane wild horse and burro work. It would allocate $100,000 per year from fiscal year 2026 through 2030, from funds made available to carry out the Act. Grants would go to organizations, including colleges, with drone expertise and a record of equine welfare research. Funds could test humane gathering, fertility control, and herd-health uses. Grant recipients would need to publish results and give them to Congress within 180 days after each study. They would also send an evaluation to the House Agriculture Committee and USDA on drone uses for ranching, animal care, and environmental stewardship.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Buchanan
FL • R
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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