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Committee advances discussion on grasslands grazing grant bill aimed at water, fencing and habitat projects
Summary
Senate Bill 2,368 would codify a grasslands grazing cost‑share program to support water development, fencing, habitat and fire‑response infrastructure on National Grasslands and interspersed private lands. Ranchers, grazing associations and conservation groups testified in support; officials explained technical and federal‑land constraints.
Senate Bill 2,368, which would add statutory framework for a grasslands grazing cost‑share program administered through the agricultural commissioner, drew broad support from grazing associations, conservation groups and the agriculture commissioner at the House Agriculture Committee Wednesday.
Sponsor Senator Greg Kessel said the program formalizes a multiyear effort that has previously been funded through one‑time appropriations; in recent bienniums the program received $5 million and $1 million through appropriations, he said. The bill would create a permanent code section to define eligible projects and program rules.
Why it matters: Testimony emphasized that strategic water development, conversion of orphaned oil wells to livestock water, cross‑fencing and related improvements have allowed ranchers to use large blocks of public and private grasslands more effectively. Witnesses said the grants also…
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