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119-hr-5785119th CongressWALLET

Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

Introduced

Summary

Expands voluntary grazing-permit retirement authority across federal lands in the 16 Western States. It would create a program to let permittees permanently waive grazing permits or leases and set rules to keep retired allotments closed to future grazing.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Existing water rights stay intact

This bill would not change water rights or other valid rights that exist on the day it becomes law. Tribal, federal, State, local, and private rights in place then would be preserved. It would not create new water rights or payments.

New option to retire grazing permits

This bill would let permit holders in 16 Western States voluntarily give up a federal grazing permit or lease. The agency would accept waivers first-come, first-served. Each year up to 100 permits total and up to 25 per State would be accepted. The Secretary would end grazing on that allotment and issue no new permits there. If your allotment overlaps a waived area, your allowed grazing would be reduced to match the waiver. If you waive, you would give up claims to structures and fences on that land, with no payment stated. Retired areas would be secured against trespass grazing. Allotments already retired before the bill would stay closed and not count toward the annual caps.

Who is covered and agency powers

This bill would define key terms and say the program covers 16 named Western States. It would also keep the Secretaries’ current power to change or end permits under other laws.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/17/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 10/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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