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119-s-1636119th CongressWALLET

Fence Line Fairness Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

Introduced

Summary

Creates statewide mediation committees of local farmers and ranchers to resolve boundary disputes between private land and National Forest System land. It would give landowners a local, farmer-led option to get findings and recommendations when fence-line boundaries are in dispute.

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  • Private landowners would receive written notice within 30 days after the Secretary becomes aware of a boundary dispute. If they choose mediation, the Secretary must refer the dispute to the state committee within 60 days and the committee must begin hearings within 180 days of referral.
  • Each oversight mediation committee would have five members who are active private farmers or ranchers. Two members would be appointed by the Secretary and three by the state department of agriculture or natural resources, and members would serve five-year terms with a two-term limit.
  • Committees would hold private hearings, analyze testimony from landowners and Forest Service officials, and send recommendations and a findings report to the Secretary, the Chief of the Forest Service, the applicable state department heads, and the congressional agriculture committees.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Mediation for landowners near forests

If enacted, this bill would create a state mediation committee in every State with National Forest System land. Each committee would have five members who are private, active farmers or ranchers. Two members would be appointed by the Secretary and three by the State. Members would serve five-year terms and could serve up to two terms. If the Secretary learns of a boundary dispute, the Secretary would have to notify the landowner within 30 days. If the landowner wants mediation, the Secretary would refer the dispute to the committee within 60 days. The committee would start hearings within 180 days of referral and hold private hearings. It would make recommendations and send a findings report to the Secretary, State agencies, and Congressional agriculture committees.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

SD • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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