October 24, 2025
Mr. Vindman (for himself and Mr. Buchanan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program to support the use of unmanned aerial systems for the humane roundup and management of wild horses and burros.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Leveraging Aerial Systems for Stewardship Operations (LASSO) Act
.
Sec. 2. Wild free-roaming horses and burros uas program
Section 9 of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (16 U.S.C. 1338a) is amended—
(1)
by striking In administering this Act,
and inserting the following:
(a)
In administering this Act,; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(b)
For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, from funds made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall allocate $100,000 for grants to support pilot projects that test whether unmanned aerial systems can be used to successfully and humanely gather and manage wild horses and burros. Grants issued under this subsection shall be awarded to organizations, including institutions of higher learning, with demonstrated expertise in drone technology, and a proven commitment to research which furthers equine welfare. Grants may also support pilot projects using unmanned aerial systems for humane fertility control application and related herd-health efforts. Reports with results from all funded pilot projects shall be made available to Congress and the public not later than 180 days after the conclusion of each study. Organizations receiving grants under this subsection shall also submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Department of Agriculture a report evaluating the potential uses of unmanned aerial systems for ranching, animal care, and environmental stewardship.