HR4356-119

What This Bill Does

The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act changes how the Bureau of Land Management may gather federally protected wild free-roaming horses and burros. Findings criticize prolonged helicopter chases, limited public observation, and the cost of roundups: more than $69.5 million since fiscal year 2012, at least $36.7 million from 2020 through 2024, and more than $6 million paid to helicopter roundup contractors in fiscal year 2022 alone. The bill amends the Wild Free-roaming Horses and Burros Act to require the Secretary to phase out use of, and contracts for, helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft for roundup or gathering purposes over two years, reducing reliance each year until the practices end. During the transition, any helicopter or aircraft used for gathering must have cameras recording the operation, and footage must be made available as part of the agency roundup or gather report. GAO must report within one year on humane alternatives, job-creation opportunities from those alternatives, and the effects of aircraft including unmanned aircraft systems on wild horse and burro populations.

Who Benefits and How

Wild free-roaming horses and burros benefit because helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft roundups would be phased out. Wild horse advocacy organizations benefit from required camera footage and public reporting for remaining aircraft roundups. Fertility-control and humane-management providers benefit if BLM shifts away from aircraft-based gathering methods. Federal taxpayers benefit if the phaseout reduces reliance on expensive helicopter roundup contracts.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Bureau of Land Management must phase out aircraft roundup practices and change wild horse and burro management operations. Helicopter roundup contractors lose future federal contracting opportunities for wild horse and burro gathers. The Secretary of the Interior must ensure aircraft cameras and public footage in roundup reports during the transition. The Comptroller General must complete a one-year report on humane alternatives, job creation, and aircraft effects.

Key Provisions

• Requires a two-year phaseout of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for wild horse and burro roundups.
• Requires annual reductions in reliance on aircraft roundup methods until the practices end.
• Requires cameras on aircraft used during the transition and public footage in agency roundup reports.
• Directs GAO to report within one year on humane alternatives, jobs, and aircraft effects on wild horse and burro populations.