Leveraging Aerial Systems for Stewardship Operations (LASSO) Act

Legislative Summary: Leveraging Aerial Systems for Stewardship Operations (LASSO) Act

Overview

The Leveraging Aerial Systems for Stewardship Operations (LASSO) Act (HR 5829) is a targeted legislative proposal designed to modernize the management of wild free-roaming horses and burros in the United States. The primary intent of the bill is to explore whether unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, can be used as a more efficient and humane alternative to traditional gathering and management methods.

Key Provisions

The bill amends Section 9 of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to establish a specialized grant program for drone technology research. Key components include:

• Funding Allocation: The Secretary is directed to allocate $100,000 per fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to fund pilot projects.
• Eligible Applicants: Grants will be awarded to organizations and institutions of higher learning that possess:
  • Demonstrated expertise in drone technology.
  • A proven commitment to research that improves equine welfare.
• Permitted Uses: Funding is specifically designated for testing UAS in the following areas:
  • The humane gathering and management of wild horses and burros.
  • The application of humane fertility control.
  • General herd-health monitoring efforts.
• Reporting Requirements:
  • Results from all funded pilot projects must be shared with Congress and the public within 180 days of the study's conclusion.
  • Grant recipients must submit an additional report to the Department of Agriculture and the House Committee on Agriculture evaluating how UAS could be utilized more broadly for ranching, animal care, and environmental stewardship.

Who is Affected?

• Wildlife Management Agencies: The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (specifically the BLM and USDA) would oversee the administration of these grants.
• Research Institutions: Universities and tech-focused organizations specializing in UAS and animal welfare may apply for funding.
• Wild Equines: Wild horses and burros may be subject to new, potentially less invasive management and health-care techniques.

Timeline and Procedural Status

The bill was introduced on October 24, 2025, and has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. If passed, the budgetary allocations for the grant programs would begin in Fiscal Year 2026 and continue through 2030.