Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act
Introduced April 9, 2025 · Last action June 15, 2026
Plain English Summary
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to maintain at least 150 genetically diverse wild horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and prohibits removing them except in emergencies or for public health and safety reasons. The bill requires the Interior Department to develop a management plan within 120 days and to annually monitor and report on the herd's population, structure, and health.
Who benefits
Wild horse advocacy groups, Theodore Roosevelt National Park visitors interested in viewing wild horses, and tourism businesses in the Medora, North Dakota area that benefit from horse-based park attractions
Who pays / loses
National Park Service budget (for the costs of managing, monitoring, and maintaining a minimum herd size); ranchers with grazing permits or interests near the Park (if herd management affects rangeland); competing park management priorities if herd maintenance diverts resources from other Park operations
Funding & Lobbying Interests
Wild horse advocacy organizations (such as American Wild Horse Campaign and similar groups) that have lobbied for protections of wild horse herds on federal and park lands typically support such legislation. Tourism operators in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park region who benefit from visitors attracted to wildlife viewing have a financial interest in maintaining the herd.
Political Impact
Affected Groups
Approximately 200,000+ wild horse advocacy supporters nationally who prioritize preservation of wild herds; Theodore Roosevelt National Park visitors (approximately 600,000+ annual visitors to the park); residents of Medora, North Dakota and surrounding areas dependent on park-related tourism; Park Service staff responsible for managing the herd and monitoring its health.
Political Subtext
Proponents argue the bill preserves a cultural and ecological symbol of the American West and maintains a visitor attraction. Critics argue that mandatory minimum herd sizes may conflict with natural resource management goals, potentially strain park budgets, and may lead to ecological impacts if the herd exceeds the carrying capacity of the landscape. Non-partisan evidence on wild horse management from the Interior Department and GAO shows tension between herd preservation mandates and rangeland sustainability across federal lands, though Theodore Roosevelt National Park's specific carrying capacity is not a subject of published CBO or GAO analysis.
Real-World Stakes
If this passes, the National Park Service must allocate resources to ensure at least 150 horses remain in the South Unit indefinitely. The Park Service currently manages wild horse populations on other federal lands under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971; mandatory minimums have in some cases led to population growth that Park managers argue damages vegetation and water sources. The Park Service will be required to document and report annually on herd health and genetics, which may necessitate veterinary and monitoring expenditures. Removal of horses that exceed genetic diversity targets or threaten park resources will be legally constrained, potentially requiring the Service to seek emergency declarations or public health justifications for any removals—a process that has proven litigious on other federal lands.
What's Inside This Bill
Non-obvious provisions not apparent from the headline summary.
Undefined 'Emergency' and 'Public Health and Safety' Removal Authority
The bill permits horse removal for 'emergencies' or 'public health and safety reasons' but provides no definition, standards, or criteria for what qualifies, leaving Interior Department significant discretionary authority to remove horses without explicit congressional restriction.
AffectsConservation advocates and horse protection groups who supported the 150-horse minimum, as Interior could potentially circumvent the mandate through broad interpretation of emergency/safety exceptions; also affects local communities whose input on what constitutes 'public health and safety' may be limited.
No Penalty or Enforcement Mechanism for Non-Compliance
The bill contains no provisions establishing penalties, enforcement procedures, or legal remedies if Interior fails to maintain the 150-horse minimum or misses the 120-day management plan deadline.
AffectsHorse advocacy groups and park users seeking to enforce the requirement, who would have limited recourse if Interior Department fails to comply; also affects taxpayers as there is no mechanism to ensure accountability for public resources.
Reporting Requirements with No Action Mandate
The bill requires annual monitoring and reporting on population, structure, and health but does not mandate any corrective action if monitoring reveals the herd is declining below 150 or experiencing health problems.
AffectsPark visitors and conservation groups expecting active management, as reporting alone does not guarantee intervention; also affects the herd itself if declining populations are documented but no remedial steps are required.
Management Plan Content and Enforceability Undefined
The 120-day management plan is required but the bill does not specify what it must contain, who approves it, or what legal force it carries, leaving significant ambiguity about whether the plan is merely advisory.
AffectsStakeholders expecting detailed governance of herd management, as the plan's actual binding effect remains unclear; also affects Interior's flexibility, as an undefined plan requirement could be interpreted narrowly.
Sponsor
Co-sponsors (1)
DSen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Vote Record
No recorded votes.
Campaign Finance — Primary Sponsor
Top contributing industries
Other$142,210
Energy$14,310
Finance$9,490
Healthcare$7,820
Construction$4,540
501(c)(4) disclosure: Contributions from 501(c)(4) "dark money" organizations are not required to be publicly disclosed and are not reflected in the figures above. Data sourced from FEC public disclosure filings.
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