Sponsors (19)
The bill trades potential animal-welfare gains, greater transparency, and some local job opportunities against higher short‑term costs, possible delays or limits on rangeland management in remote areas, and added administrative burdens during the transition away from aircraft-based gathers.
Taxpayers and the public could see reduced federal expenses if the BLM reduces or phases out aircraft roundups, since helicopter gathers have historically been costly.
Rural communities, animal advocates, and wild horse/burro populations would face less stress, injury, and mortality because fewer helicopter/fixed‑wing chases and more humane, land‑based methods are encouraged.
Members of the public, local governments, and Congress would gain greater transparency and oversight of BLM gathers because aircraft footage must be recorded/published and GAO review is required.
All taxpayers and federal land-management agencies could face higher short‑to‑medium‑term costs as gathers are phased away from aircraft and funding is needed to scale fertility‑control or other alternatives.
Ranchers, rural communities, and the public could experience delayed or diminished ability to remove or relocate animals in remote/rugged areas if aircraft use is limited, raising risks to rangeland health and public safety.
If fertility‑control and other non‑aircraft methods are slower or less immediately effective, ranchers and nearby communities could continue to face grazing competition, land‑use conflicts, and range impacts during the transition.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Phases out BLM use of helicopters and fixed‑wing aircraft for wild horse and burro roundups within two years, requires camera‑equipped aircraft use and a GAO report on alternatives and impacts.
Introduced July 10, 2025 by Alice Costandina Titus · Last progress July 10, 2025
Prohibits routine use of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for BLM roundups of wild free-roaming horses and burros by requiring a phased elimination of those aircraft within two years and limiting aircraft use to specific, camera-equipped situations. It replaces broad aviation authority with permission to use motor vehicles for transport and requires public availability of roundup footage, plus a GAO study on humane alternatives, job impacts, and aircraft effects. The law directs the BLM to shift toward less aerial-dependent methods (and potentially greater use of fertility control and ground-based gathering), creates transparency requirements for any remaining aircraft use, and requires a Government Accountability Office report within one year describing alternatives, workforce implications, and impacts from aircraft including drones.