S. 1636 — Fence Line Fairness Act of 2025

This section directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with state departments of agriculture and natural resources, to establish in each state containing National Forest System land an oversight mediation committee composed of five private active farmers or ranchers (two appointed by the Secretary and three by the state departments) to help resolve disputes over boundaries between National Forest System land and private land. Committee members serve five-year terms and may serve up to two terms. It requires the Secretary to notify private landowners of such disputes within 30 days of becoming aware of them and to offer use of the mediation committee process. If a landowner elects mediation, the Secretary must refer the dispute to the committee within 60 days; the committee must then commence private hearings within 180 days, analyze information from the landowner and Forest Service officials, provide resolution recommendations to the parties, and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Secretary, the Chief of the Forest Service, relevant state department heads, and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the House Committee on Agriculture.