Legislation Tracking for WSWC Priorities
Under its Rules of Organization, the WSWC investigates water matters of interest to member states to advise governors and Council members. To support this, the Council tracks key federal legislation pertaining to the policies and interests of the Council.
Spring 2026 Priority Legislation 119th Congress
Selection Criteria: (1) Significance to current policy positions; (2) Importance to Western states (direct member feedback/sponsorship); (3) Viability (broad support, high activity).
🔥: High Momentum—legislation with consistent activity or advanced status.
Search by keyword to filter the list. To see bills by WSWC committee, search for Legal, Water Quality, or Water Resources.
| Bill Number | 🔥 | Bill Title | Summary | Support | Bill Progress | Last Action | Action Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H.R. 5089 | Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 | This bill would reauthorize NOAA’s weather research, forecasting, and communication programs through 2030. It modernizes capabilities, increases commercial data and AI use, improves public safety alerts, and fills underserved observation gaps. Specifically, it extends funding for hurricane forecasting and harmful algal bloom monitoring ($27.5M annually) while investing in AI and machine learning. It directs NOAA to address radar interference, replace NEXRAD by 2040, improve atmospheric river and coastal flood forecasting, migrate workstations to the cloud, expand aviation capabilities, assess NWS workforce needs, and fill rural observation gaps. To leverage the private sector, it expands commercial data purchases, sets clear data standards, creates an ombudsman, and shares data with the weather community when permitted. Finally, it simplifies warning dissemination, modernizes NOAA Weather Radio, requires post-storm surveys, directs a GAO alert system review, adds digital watermarking to prevent tampering, and creates several new programs to advance drought, soil moisture, and agricultural precipitation forecasting. | Bipartisan, CA, OR, TX, OK | In Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. | 09/10/2025 | |
| S. 1378/ H.R. 2770 | TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act | This bill directs NOAA to develop and implement advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for improving weather forecasting, wildfire prediction, and environmental modeling. The legislation establishes comprehensive programs to create AI-driven weather models, training datasets, and innovative partnerships with private and academic sectors. Key provisions include: (1) developing AI weather models that can make predictions about Earth system conditions; (2) exploring advanced AI applications for improving forecast accuracy and societal impact, creating a fire environment modeling program to predict and detect wildfires; and (3) establishing technical assistance mechanisms to evaluate and support AI weather modeling efforts. The bill also emphasizes developing a skilled workforce capable of leveraging AI technologies, ensuring data accessibility while protecting national security and intellectual property interests, and maintaining continued support for traditional observational and numerical weather modeling techniques. | Bipartisan, MT, NM | In Committee | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 199. | 10/21/2025 | |
| S. 2437/ H.R. 3857 | 🔥 | Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 | This bill would modernize and reauthorize the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Program through 2031, reducing authorization from $15M for FY2022-2026 to $6.5M annually for FY2027-2031. The bill updates the program's focus to emphasize the development and deployment of advanced technologies for snowpack measurement and modeling, including cutting-edge techniques like imaging spectroscopy, machine learning, and integrated hydrologic modeling. It expands the program's scope to support activities that improve snow and water supply forecasting, particularly in river basins where such forecasting can inform water management decisions across multiple water users, basins, or states. The bill establishes new reporting mandates that include a list of basins using snowpack measurement technologies and an assessment of the most effective technologies for water supply forecasting. | Bipartisan, CO, UT | In Committee | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Hearing (10:00:00 3/17/2026 SD-366) | 03/17/2026 |
| S. 3923 | 🔥 | Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 | This bill, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, aims to enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) weather research and forecasting capabilities. Key provisions include reauthorizing and strengthening existing programs like the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment- United States of America (VORTEX-USA) and the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program, while also introducing new initiatives. The bill emphasizes improving forecasts for various weather phenomena, including atmospheric rivers, coastal flooding, and fire weather, and promotes the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning in weather prediction. It also seeks to expand commercial opportunities for weather data by establishing programs to acquire data from the private sector and improve data sharing practices. Furthermore, the bill addresses public communication of weather hazards, enhances weather information for agriculture and water management, and includes provisions for improving cybersecurity for oceanic research. The legislation also reauthorizes the Tsunami Warning and Education Act and the National Landslide Preparedness Act, and includes measures to modernize NOAA's infrastructure and workforce. | Bipartisan, AK, KS, MT, NV, WA, TX | In Committee | Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably. | 03/04/2026 |
| H.R. 7487 | Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act | This bill aims to encourage more non-federal entities to develop hydropower projects at facilities managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. It broadens the types of Bureau of Reclamation facilities eligible for hydropower development, moving beyond just small "conduit hydropower" and "pumped storage hydropower" to encompass "hydropower using all Bureau of Reclamation facilities." The bill also clarifies terms like "reserved works facility," referring to facilities where the Bureau of Reclamation retains operation and maintenance responsibilities, and "transferred works facility," where a non-federal entity handles these tasks under a contract. It also modifies provisions related to power privilege offers and the duration and renewal of authorizations from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The intent is to streamline the process and expand opportunities for private companies to build and operate hydropower facilities on Bureau of Reclamation infrastructure. | Bipartisan, CA, CO | In Committee | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. | 02/11/2026 | |
| S. 3725/ H.R. 7287 | 🔥 | Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act | This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine if it's practical to build a project that would supply municipal, rural, and industrial water to expand the capacity and reach of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, Inc., which operates in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The study will result in a feasibility report including reccommendations on what the non-Federal share of construction costs should be, which must be at least 25 percent. The Secretary will also consult with various government entities and make the report publicly available, with the federal government covering no more than 50 percent of the study's costs.The bill authorizes $10M for this purpose. | Bipartisan, SD | In Committee | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Hearing (10:00:00 3/17/2026 SD-366) | 03/17/2026 |
| S. 3723/ H.R. 7288 | 🔥 | Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act | This bill mandates that the Secretary of the Interior, working with the Western Dakota Regional Water System, Inc. to conduct a study to determine if a proposed project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to this system is feasible, including what the non-Federal share of construction costs should be, which must be at least 25 percent. The Federal government will cover no more than 50% of the feasibility study's costs. The bill authorizes $10M for this purpose. | Republican, SD | In Committee | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Hearing (10:00:00 3/17/2026 SD-366) | 03/17/2026 |
| S. 240/ H.R. 726 | 🔥 | Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 | This bill revises the water rights settlement agreement entered into by the Crow Tribe of Montana and Montana. The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 ratified, authorized, and confirmed the water rights compact between the Tribe and Montana. Among other provisions, this settlement act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to plan, design and construct the following two major projects on the Crow Reservation: (1) the rehabilitation and improvement of the Crow Irrigation Project (CIP); and (2) the planning, design, and construction of the MR&I System (the municipal, rural, and industrial water system of the Crow Reservation). Among other provisions, the bill revises the settlement act to: (1) replace references to the MR&I System with MR&I Projects; ; (2) establish a nontrust, interest-bearing account (to be known as the Crow CIP Implementation Account) to allow Reclamation to continue to work on the rehabilitation of the CIP; (3) create a new MR&I Projects Account, through which the tribe must use funds for activities related to water production, treatment, or delivery infrastructure; and (4) extend by five years (to 2030) the period during which the tribe has the exclusive right to construct hydropower facilities on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam in Montana. | Republican, MT | Crossed Over | Held at the desk. | 12/15/2025 |
| S. 953/ H.R. 2025 | 🔥 | Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 | The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (S. 953) is a comprehensive legislative proposal designed to resolve long-standing water claims and infrastructure needs for three tribal nations in Arizona: the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The Act legally quantifies how much water each Tribe is entitled to. The Navajo Nation would receive over 50,000 AFY, including an Upper Basin allocation of 44,700 AFY, a Lower Basin Allocation of 3,600 AFY, all Little Colorado mainstem and tributary water reaching the Navajo Reservation, and all groundwater underlying the Navajo Nation. However, a mutual agreement with the Hopic Tribe limits Navajo pumping from the confined aquifer and Shonto Recharge Area is at 8400 AFY. The bill includes a provision allowing the Navajo to lease up to 17,050 acre-feet of their Upper Basin water to the Lower Basin—a unique flexibility given that the Navajo Nation spans both basins. San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe: Secures up to 350 acre-feet of water per year. The Hopi Tribe would receive an Upper Basin allocation of 2,300 AFY, a Lower Basin allocation totaling 5,928 AFY (across 4th, 5th, and 6th priorities), rights to the Little Colorado River for existing uses and future reservoir projects, and all groundwater underlying the Hopi Reservation. Hopi pumping from the Navajo Aquifer (N-Aquifer) is capped at 5,600 AFY. The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe would receive an allocation of up to 350 AFY of water to be provided by the Navajo Nation from its total settlement amount. The bill would ratifya treaty that would establish roughly 5,400 acres of exclusive reservation land. Currently, they are the only federally recognized tribe in Arizona without an exclusive reservation. The Act authorizes approximately $5B in federal funding to build the necessary infrastructure, including wells, pipelines, pumping stations, treatment systems, and storage facilities. The Act creates trust funds for the tribes to manage and maintain their water systems. These funds are intended to ensure that once the infrastructure is built, the tribes have the financial resources for long-term operations, maintenance, and future economic development. | Bipartisan, AZ | In Committee | Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. | 03/11/2026 |
| S. 546 | 🔥 | Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 | This bill authorizes deposit of specified interest payments into the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Water Rights Development Fund. This fund was established in 2009 under the water rights settlement agreement for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation. | Bipartisan, ID, NV | Crossed Over | Held at the desk. | 12/15/2025 |
| S. 640/ H.R. 4598 | 🔥 | Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act | This bill authorizes deposits representing unpaid interest into the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund, the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund, and the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos’ Fund. These funds were established in 2009 and 2010 under certain water rights settlement agreements that did not allow accrual of interest. | Democrat, NM | Crossed Over | Held at the desk. | 12/15/2025 |
| S. 783/ H.R. 7530 | Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2025/2026 | This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide additional financial assistance to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. Specifically, the bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to offer grants, zero percent interest loans, or 1 percent interest loans to eligible rural water facilities. The Secretary can also forgive or modify existing loans, or refinance previous loans for eligible entities. Assistance can be provided for two primary purposes: to ensure public health, safety, and order, or to address financial hardships in disadvantaged or economically distressed areas. To determine eligibility for financial support, the Secretary must establish a residential indicator of affordable water services in each state or local area, calculated by comparing the cost per household to the median household income, and develop factors to identify economically disadvantaged regions. The bill aims to provide crucial support to rural water systems that may be struggling financially or facing challenges in maintaining essential infrastructure and service quality. The text of H.R. 7530 has been incorporated into the larger House Farm Bill package, which passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in March 2026. | Bipartisan, SD | In Committee | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. | 02/12/2026 | |
| H.R. 3862 | Clean Water SRF Parity Act of 2025 | This bill amends the CWA to expand financial assistance options for water pollution control projects through State Revolving Funds (SRF). Specifically, the bill allows qualified nonprofit entities to receive financial assistance for constructing, acquiring, or improving treatment works, and creates new provisions for privately owned treatment works. The bill introduces two key changes: first, it enables nonprofit entities to access SRF funding for a broader range of water infrastructure activities, and second, it establishes special rules for privately owned treatment works, allowing them to receive financial assistance for improvements, construction, water conservation measures, energy efficiency upgrades, security enhancements, and other related activities. However, the bill includes important limitations, such as prohibiting additional subsidization for nonprofit entities and ensuring that financial assistance for privately owned treatment works primarily benefits the individuals or entities served by the treatment works, rather than shareholders or owners. These changes aim to provide more flexible funding options for water infrastructure projects while maintaining accountability and focusing on community benefits. | Bipartisan, CA | In Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. | 06/11/2025 | |
| S. 3792/ H.R. 7408 | Water Project Navigators Act | This bill, titled the Water Project Navigators Act, establishes a program within the Department of the Interior to support the development and implementation of "multi-benefit water projects." These projects are defined as initiatives in eligible states that improve water supply resilience to climate impacts, such as increasing water use efficiency, reducing consumptive use, promoting recycling, improving infrastructure, and ensuring access to safe drinking water, while also benefiting ecosystems and watersheds through habitat conservation, water quality improvement, and watershed health. The program will award grants or cooperative agreements to "eligible entities," which include states, Indian Tribes, local governments, water suppliers, conservation districts, and non-profit conservation organizations, to fund "multi-benefit water project navigator" positions. These navigators will assist eligible entities with planning, developing, and implementing these projects, including grant writing, project management, and technical assistance. The bill prioritizes applications from entities serving Indian Tribes, disadvantaged communities (defined as communities with a median income lower than the statewide median), and rural communities, and allows for reduced or waived non-Federal cost-sharing for these entities if financial hardship is demonstrated. The program is authorized to receive $15,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2032. | Bipartisan, KS, AZ, CO | In Committee | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Hearing (10:00:00 3/17/2026 SD-366) | 03/17/2026 | |
| S. 3738 | MORE WATER Act | This bill, known as the MORE WATER Act, aims to enhance water resilience by reauthorizing and establishing new programs for water infrastructure. Specifically, it reauthorizes the large-scale water recycling and reuse program, increasing its funding authorization to $450 million for fiscal years 2028 through 2032, and clarifies the definition of "construction" for these projects. Additionally, it creates a new Water Conveyance Improvement Program, authorizing $500 million for fiscal years 2028 through 2032, to provide grants for projects that improve or build new water conveyance facilities in Reclamation States (states and territories involved in the Bureau of Reclamation's water management). This new program prioritizes "multi-benefit projects" that offer significant benefits such as safe drinking water for low-income communities and environmental improvements, with specific cost-sharing requirements and provisions to ensure these benefits are realized. The bill also includes provisions for deauthorizing inactive Reclamation projects that have not received sufficient investment, streamlining the process while allowing for exceptions based on congressional action, non-federal funding, or vital importance to the United States or a state. | Democrat, CA | In Committee | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Hearing (10:00:00 3/17/2026 SD-366) | 03/17/2026 | |
| S. 3737 | GROW SMART Act | This bill, known as the GROW SMART Act, aims to amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to provide financial and technical assistance for innovative, voluntary water partnership agreements. The core of the bill is to support projects that keep agricultural land in production, maintain rural income and employment, and ensure affordable or redundant water supplies, all while planning for long-term sustainability without relying solely on federal funding. These innovative approaches can include new methods or those not yet widely established, such as financial or water-sharing agreements between agricultural users and entities like municipal water providers, industrial users (including data centers), or conservation organizations. The bill also encourages water-saving practices and crops, and voluntary methods to reduce water consumption, like hydroponics, agrovoltaics, or advanced irrigation technologies, but explicitly excludes approaches that involve fallowing land for extended periods or using common, well-understood crops. While partnerships are encouraged, the bill allows for assistance to individual entities like states, tribes, or agricultural operations facing significant water shortages if they implement innovative water-saving measures or help reverse declining groundwater or freshwater inflows. Applications will be prioritized based on factors like dedicating saved water to others, the innovativeness of the approach, estimated water and economic benefits, likelihood of success, and the duration of agreements, with a federal cost-share generally capped at 75 percent, though waivers are possible for Tribal entities. | Democrat, CA | In Committee | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Hearing (10:00:00 3/17/2026 SD-366) | 03/17/2026 | |
| H.R. 338 | Every Drop Counts Act | This bill expands the Bureau of Reclamation's Small Storage Program, which is a grant program for small surface water or groundwater storage projects in certain western states. First, the bill expands the types of projects that are eligible for grants under the program. Specifically, the bill makes a project eligible for a grant if the project (1) has water storage capacity of recharges no less than 200 acre-feet and no more than 150,000 acre-feet on an average annual basis over the life of the project for storage or use; and (2) increases groundwater aquifer storage, conveys water to or recovers water from groundwater storage, and stabilizes groundwater levels. Next, it extends Reclamation's authority to carry out the grant program for another five years. This bill has some overlap with S. 3732 (Water Security and Drought Resilience Act). Both bills aim to expand and reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s Small Storage Program. However, The Every Drop Counts Act is heavily targeted at modifying the program's capacity limits (up to 150,000 acre-feet) and explicitly expanding the definition of eligible projects to include groundwater aquifer storage and conveyance. S. 3732 also modifies the Small Storage Program but introduces broader updates to the WIIN Act and IIJA. Beyond just surface/groundwater storage, S. 3732 also introduces a brand new grant program for "natural water retention and release projects" (mimicking natural processes like floodplain retention) making it a significantly wider-reaching drought resilience package. | Bipartisan, CA, ID | In Committee | Subcommittee Hearings Held | 11/19/2025 | |
| H.R. 7376 | 🔥 | Local Water Protection Act | This bill, titled the "Local Water Protection Act," amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize funding for programs that manage nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution refers to pollution that comes from diffuse sources, such as agricultural runoff or urban stormwater, rather than a single, identifiable point like a factory pipe. Specifically, the bill extends the authorization of appropriations for these nonpoint source management programs from fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to fiscal years 2027 through 2031, ensuring continued federal support for efforts to protect water quality from these widespread sources. | Bipartisan | In Committee | Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. | 02/11/2026 |
| S. 3465 | UPGRADE Act of 2025 | This bill, known as the UPGRADE Act of 2025 (Unincorporated Partnerships for Grant Resources, Assistance, and Drinking Water Enhancements Act of 2025), amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to extend crucial support for water systems. Specifically, it reauthorizes technical assistance for small public water systems, which are smaller water providers that may lack the resources or expertise to meet federal drinking water standards, by extending funding through fiscal year 2031. Additionally, the bill enhances the assistance program for small and disadvantaged communities, which are communities that may struggle to afford necessary water infrastructure upgrades, by broadening the types of communities eligible for aid to include underserved and unincorporated communities, as determined by the state and in coordination with county governments, and also extends funding for this program through fiscal year 2031. | Bipartisan | In Committee | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. | 12/11/2025 | |
| H.R. 7476 | Water Infrastructure Assistance Reauthorization Act | This bill, titled the Water Infrastructure Assistance Reauthorization Act, extends funding for water infrastructure grants by amending the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, a law that provides financial assistance for rural development. Specifically, it changes the authorization period for these grants from the years 2019 through 2023 to the years 2026 through 2031. This bill has been incorporated into the House Farm Bill package which passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in March 2026 | Republican | In Committee | Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. | 02/10/2026 | |
| H.R. 6229 | Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Amendments of 2025 | This bill amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014 to expand and clarify several provisions related to water infrastructure financing. The bill defines "rural water project" to include a broader range of water supply projects, establishes a definition for "small community" as a place with 25,000 or fewer inhabitants, and reduces the minimum project cost for eligibility from $5M to $1M. It provides technical assistance to small communities to help them develop project proposals, creates an outreach plan to promote financial assistance to small communities, and expands project eligibility to include state-led storage projects, transferred works, and congressionally authorized water resources development projects. The bill also introduces collaborative project delivery methods like design-build and construction management at-risk approaches, and allows for longer loan maturity dates (up to 55 years) for projects with extended useful lives. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes funding for water infrastructure programs, with $68M allocated to theEPA and $15M to the Army Corps of Engineers annually from 2025 to 2029. | Bipartisan, CA, KS, WA | In Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. | 11/22/2025 | |
| H.R. 6075/ S. 2328 | Water Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2025 | This bill amends the CWA to expand and update the pilot program for alternative water source projects, focusing on modernizing water infrastructure through intelligent technologies. The bill introduces a comprehensive definition of "intelligent water infrastructure technology" that includes advanced monitoring, data collection, and management systems for wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and water supply networks. These technologies encompass real-time sensors, artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance tools, leak detection systems, advanced metering infrastructure, and digital design technologies aimed at improving water system efficiency, reliability, and resilience. The bill increases grant funding from $25M to $50M and extends the program through 2028, allowing grants to be used for engineering, design, construction, implementation, and training related to these intelligent water technologies. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA Administrator to submit annual reports to Congress detailing granted projects, their improvements in system resiliency, and recommendations for future program enhancement. Importantly, the bill explicitly prohibits using grant funds for planning, feasibility studies, operation, or maintenance, with a specific carve-out that costs associated with intelligent water infrastructure technologies are not considered operational expenses. This bill has some overlap with H.R. 5834. While H.R. 6075/S. 2388 seeks to dedicate this grant program to funding "intelligent water infrastructure technology" (AI, real-time sensors, predictive maintenance), H.R. 5834 seeks to convert the pilot into a permanent grant program strictly geared towards "critical water supply needs" addressing regional drought resiliency shortages. We chose to prioritize H.R. 6075/ S.2388 because it is bicameral and has bipartisan support from a signficant number of our states. | Bipartisan, AZ, CA, CO, KS, NV, UT | In Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. | 11/19/2025 | |
| S. 3590 | Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act of 2026 | This bill extends funding for programs designed to make water systems more robust and sustainable. Specifically, it amends the CWA to reauthorize the clean water infrastructure resiliency and sustainability program, shifting its funding period from fiscal years 2022-2026 to fiscal years 2027-2031. Similarly, it amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize programs related to drinking water infrastructure resilience and sustainability, including a specific program for midsize and large drinking water systems, also extending their funding from fiscal years 2022-2026 to fiscal years 2027-2031. This bill has some overlap with H.R. 5661 (Water Preservation and Affordability Act). Both bills reauthorize and increase funding for the clean water infrastructure resiliency program. However, S. 3590 covers resilience across both clean water (wastewater) and safe drinking water infrastructures, extending both out to 2031. H.R. 5661 targets only the clean water (wastewater) side, and creates new mandates—requiring any loan recipients conducting repairs to use "resource preservation techniques." It also creates a new wastewater efficiency pilot program. | Bipartisan, UT | In Committee | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. | 01/07/2026 | |
| H.R. 3427 | 🔥 | Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act | This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the EPA’s clean water infrastructure technical assistance programs and report improvement recommendations to Congress. The review must include: (1) A description of covered technical assistance provided to states, tribes, local governments, and NGOs over the previous 5 years; (2) A comprehensive review of how the EPA Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) initiative identifies, selects, and partners with providers; (3) An assessment of unaddressed needs in eligible, economically distressed communities. Following the review, the EPA must submit an annual compliance plan to Congress for 5 years regarding its fulfillment of GAO recommendations. | Bipartisan | Crossed Over | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. | 09/16/2025 |
| S. 2741 | 🔥 | Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025 | This bill establishes the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address environmental cleanup at abandoned mine sites across the United States. The office will be responsible for coordinating cleanup efforts across federal agencies, regional offices, and stakeholders, with a particular focus on hardrock mining sites that have caused environmental contamination. Key provisions include creating an annual priority list of mine sites for cleanup, developing best practices for site assessments and remediation, and establishing specific interagency plans for uranium contamination on Navajo Nation lands. The office will coordinate with various federal agencies, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders to investigate and clean up hazardous substance releases, prioritizing sites without a clearly identifiable responsible party. The bill specifically calls for innovative technologies and approaches to cleanup, including potential resource recovery and reuse of mine sites. Importantly, the bill does not create new regulatory authority but aims to improve coordination and efficiency in addressing environmental contamination from legacy mining activities. The office will provide technical assistance to states, local governments, and Tribal entities and will submit annual reports to Congress detailing its prioritization methodology and cleanup action status. | Bipartisan, WY, AZ | Crossed Over | Held at the desk. | 11/20/2025 |
| H.R. 331 | To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes. | This bill modifies the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to expand provisions concerning authorizations (e.g., rights-of-way) to transport water across public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for aquifer recharge purposes. Under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, the holder of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations to transport water across BLM land may transport the water for aquifer recharge purposes without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior so long as the use does not expand or modify the operation of such authorizations across public land. The bill allows the holders of such authorizations to act not only on behalf of themselves, but also on behalf of states, Indian Tribes, or public entities, to use the existing authorizations for aquifer recharge without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior. Further, the bill states that this use may not be considered an expansion, modification, major federal action, or substantial deviation. Additionally, the bill exempts holders from paying additional rents to the BLM for any use of such authorizations; however, the exemption does not apply to for-profit uses of aquifer recharge or for-profit entities. Finally, holders of rights-of-way or other authorizations must provide notice to the BLM of the intended use of authorization as specified by the bill. | Republican, ID | Crossed Over | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. | 05/14/2025 | |
| H.R. 132 | Western Water Accelerated Revenue Repayment Act | This bill permanently authorizes a provision under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act that (1) allows certain water users (e.g., agriculture and municipal water users) in western states to prepay what they owe under contracts with the Bureau of Reclamation for delivering water through a lump sum payment or over a period of three years; and (2) requires a specified portion of the receipts generated from such prepayments be directed to the Reclamation Water Storage Account for the construction of water storage. Such prepayments do not alter certain requirements for the disposition of amounts that are directed by project-specific statutes in effect prior to the passage of the WIIN Act to accounts other than the General Reclamation Fund. | Republican, CO | In Committee | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. | 01/03/2025 | |
| S. 1242 | Watershed Results Act | This bill establishes a new framework for watershed management pilot projects in Reclamation States which allows the Secretary of the Interior to select up to 5 watershed partners to develop and implement innovative, data-driven conservation projects. The bill establishes a process whereby eligible entities (which can include state agencies, tribes, water districts, and non-governmental organizations) can propose watershed outcomes projects that use "advance watershed analytics" to identify and prioritize conservation activities that will most cost-effectively improve water resources. These projects must focus on measurable outcomes like increasing water quantity or quality, improving aquatic habitats, or enhancing overall watershed health. The federal government will provide financial assistance covering up to 75% of project costs through pay-for-performance contracts, where payments are made only after specific, verified environmental improvements are achieved. The bill authorizes $17 million annually from fiscal years 2026-2031 to support these efforts and requires the Secretary to provide annual briefings and a comprehensive 5-year report to Congress about the projects' progress and effectiveness. The bill explicitly states that it does not alter existing water rights and emphasizes protecting the confidentiality of data collected during the project planning and implementation. | Democrat, OR | In Committee | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Hearing (10:00:00 3/17/2026 SD-366) | 03/17/2026 | |
| H.R. 3898 | 🔥 | PERMIT Act | Originally drafted to limit the scope of the Clean Water Act by excluding waste treatment systems, ephemeral features flowing only from precipitation, prior converted cropland, groundwater, and other Corps-determined features from the definition of navigable waters, this bill passed out of the House T&I Committee with several measures incorporated: (1) the Confidence in Clean Water Permits Act (H.R. 3897), protecting permit holders who comply with clear conditions; (2) the Clarifying Federal General Permits Act (H.R. 3899), codifying the EPA's issuance of general permits; (3) the Water Quality Technology Availability Act (H.R. 3900), ensuring required compliance technologies are commercially available; (4) the FUELS Act (H.R. 3909), raising fuel storage exemptions for farmers and ranchers; (5) the Improving Water Quality Certifications and American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3928), limiting Section 401 approvals to water quality impacts; (6) the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act (H.R. 3824), prohibiting permit requirements for certain labeled pesticide discharges; (7) the Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act (H.R. 3927), extending reissuance periods for nationwide permits; (8) the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 (H.R. 3300), exempting firefighting agencies from NPDES permits for aerial retardants; (9) the Reducing Permitting Uncertainty Act (H.R. 3935), preventing EPA vetoes on Section 404 permits at certain stages; (10) the Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act (H.R. 3888), creating a more transparent criteria process; (11) the Judicial Review Timeline Clarity Act (H.R. 3905), setting Section 404 permit judicial review timelines; (12) the Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act (H.R. 3901), directing the Corps to expedite procedures; (13) the Water Quality Standards Attainability Act (H.R. 3934), requiring standards to consider available treatment tech; and (14) the Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Permitting Act (H.R. 3902), requiring EPA review of the state assumption process for Section 404 permits. | Republican, CA, CO, UT | Crossed Over | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. | 12/15/2025 |
| H.R. 7567 | Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 | The farm bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies Department of Agriculture programs addressing commodity support, conservation, trade, nutrition, credit, rural development, research, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance, livestock, and foreign land investments, and it incorporates several water-related marker bills: (1) the Water Infrastructure Assistance Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7476), extending water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants through FY2031; (2) the Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2026 (H.R. 7530), empowering the USDA to offer grants, low-interest loans, or loan forgiveness for rural systems in economically distressed areas; (3) the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023 (H.R. 3809), updating the Circuit Rider Program to offer cyber threat assessments for systems serving fewer than 10,000 people; (4) the Healthy H2O Act (H.R. 1721), funding drinking water testing and treatment for rural communities; (5) the Flood Resiliency and Land Stewardship Act (H.R. 4134), integrating conservation practices into flood risk management; (6) the Flood Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act (H.R. 1858), evaluating watershed restoration needs to coordinate regional flood recovery; (7) the Restoring America’s Floodplains Act (H.R. 7264), authorizing USDA restoration of hydrological functions and vegetative cover on floodplain easement lands; (8) the Headwaters Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 605), improving the Water Source Protection Program by prioritizing projects targeting drought, wildfire, and flood risks; and (9) the Improving Drought Monitoring Act (H.R. 5610), extending Drought Monitor improvements through 2030 and creating an interagency working group for accurate data tracking; additionally, Conservation Title bills like the PRECISE Act (H.R. 6143/H.R. 1459), which promotes precision agriculture to reduce runoff, and the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025 (H.R. 3077) will also indirectly impact water resources through improved land management. | Republican | In Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 - 17. | 03/05/2026 | |
| Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act | This bill establishes a comprehensive water rights settlement for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in California, addressing multiple complex legal and water management issues. The bill authorizes a settlement that confirms the tribe's water rights in the Indio Subbasin, quantifying their groundwater rights at 20,000 acre-feet per year with a priority date dating back to 1876-1877. It creates an Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund with $500 million distributed across four accounts to support water development projects, groundwater augmentation, water management, and infrastructure maintenance. The bill also transfers approximately 2,742 acres of federal land into trust for the tribe, allows the Coachella Valley Water District to purchase specific facility lands, and establishes a framework for the tribe to impose a possessory interest tax in lieu of county property taxes. Importantly, the legislation includes comprehensive waivers of water-related claims against the United States, water districts, and other entities, while preserving certain environmental and cultural resource protections. The bill aims to provide a fair, equitable, and final resolution to long-standing water rights disputes, offering benefits to the tribe, its members, and local water agencies while establishing clear guidelines for future water use and management. | Bipartisan, CA | In Committee | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. | 11/7/2025 | ||
| Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 | This bill establishes a comprehensive water rights settlement for the Navajo Nation in the Rio San José Stream System in New Mexico, addressing long-standing water rights claims and providing significant financial and infrastructural support. The bill creates a $200,271,000 Navajo Nation Water Rights Settlement Account and a $23,000,000 Operations and Maintenance Account to be managed by the Secretary of the Interior, with funds to be used for water infrastructure development, environmental planning, well installation, and other water-related projects. The settlement includes detailed provisions for water rights usage, including allowing the Navajo Nation to allocate, distribute, and lease water rights on and off their lands, with certain restrictions. The bill also provides extensive waivers and releases of water-related claims against the United States, while retaining important environmental and future water rights protections. Notably, the settlement includes provisions protecting individual allottees' water rights and allows for potential expansion of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project. The bill requires the Navajo Nation to submit annual expenditure reports, prohibits per capita distributions, and sets an expiration date of July 1, 2030, if certain conditions are not met. The settlement aims to provide a comprehensive and final resolution to water rights disputes in the region, offering the Navajo Nation significant resources for water infrastructure and management. | Democrat, NM | In Committee | Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. | 3/5/2025 | ||
| Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2025 | This bill amends the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act to make several key improvements to the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project. The bill increases the total project authorization from $870 million to $2.175 billion for fiscal years 2009-2029, and extends various deadlines for project completion. It establishes three new trust funds: a Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund, a Navajo Nation Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement Trust Fund, and a Jicarilla Apache Nation Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement Trust Fund. The bill allows for deferred construction of project facilities, creates a mechanism for the Navajo Nation to save on construction and maintenance costs, and expands the project's service area to include additional communities in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. It also provides for the transfer of certain land parcels into trust for the Navajo Nation, clarifies taxation rules for project facilities, and allows for the potential development of renewable energy and hydroelectric power within the project. Additionally, the bill provides a framework for the Navajo Nation to provide non-Project water to communities in Utah, subject to specific conditions and limitations, and extends the deadlines for certain water rights settlement provisions. | Bipartisan, NM, UT | In Committee | Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. | 3/5/2025 | ||
| Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 | This bill provides for the settlement of water rights claims for the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana, addressing multiple aspects of water resource management and land transfers. The bill establishes a comprehensive water rights settlement that includes allocating 20,000 acre-feet of water annually from Lake Elwell, rehabilitating and expanding the Fort Belknap Indian Irrigation Project, and creating multiple trust and implementation funds totaling over $1 billion. The settlement involves land exchanges between the federal government, state of Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community, with approximately 6,000 acres of land to be transferred into trust for the tribe. Key provisions include canceling existing irrigation project debts, establishing mechanisms for water resource management, and providing funds for infrastructure projects like water supply systems, irrigation projects, and environmental restoration. The bill also includes a waiver of certain historical water rights claims by the tribe, but retains rights for future water quality and environmental protections. Additionally, the bill includes a separate authorization of $250 million for wastewater facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe. The settlement becomes effective only after specific conditions are met, including tribal and Montana Water Court approvals, and appropriation of authorized funds. | Republican, MT | In Committee | Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. | 3/5/2025 | ||
| Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 | This bill establishes a comprehensive water rights settlement for the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in New Mexico's Rio Chama Stream System. The legislation creates a $745 million trust fund to support water infrastructure, environmental restoration, and economic development for the Pueblo, while formally recognizing and protecting the Pueblo's water rights. Key provisions include allowing the Pueblo to lease water rights for up to 99 years, establishing a process for managing and withdrawing funds from the trust fund, and providing broad waiver and release of historical water rights claims against the United States. The bill requires environmental compliance, allows for water rights management and infrastructure development, and mandates that the State of New Mexico contribute additional funding for local water system improvements. The settlement aims to provide a fair and final resolution to long-standing water rights disputes, with specific protections to ensure the Pueblo's water rights cannot be lost through non-use and can be used for various community purposes. The bill includes extensive provisions detailing how funds can be used, environmental protections, and the conditions under which the settlement becomes effective, with a potential expiration date of July 1, 2038 if certain conditions are not met. | Democrat, NM | In Committee | Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. | 3/5/2025 | ||
| Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act of 2025 | This bill is a comprehensive water rights settlement act that resolves water rights claims for two pairs of Native American Pueblos in New Mexico: the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna (Title I) and the Pueblos of Jemez and Zia (Title II). The bill authorizes and ratifies water rights agreements that have been negotiated between the Pueblos, the State of New Mexico, and other stakeholders, and establishes substantial federal funding to support water infrastructure, water rights management, and economic development for these Pueblos. For each pair of Pueblos, the bill creates separate trust funds totaling hundreds of millions of dollars that can be used for purposes such as water infrastructure development, watershed protection, water rights management, and economic development. The settlements also include comprehensive waivers of historical water rights claims against the United States, while preserving certain environmental and future water rights. The bill ensures that the Pueblos' water rights cannot be lost through non-use and provides mechanisms for the Pueblos to manage, allocate, and potentially lease their water rights. The settlements are designed to provide a final and equitable resolution to long-standing water rights disputes in specific river stream systems, with built-in environmental protections and economic development opportunities for the Pueblos. | Democrat, NM | In Committee | Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. | 3/5/2025 | ||
| Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 | This bill, the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, aims to facilitate the implementation of the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement by making several key changes. It introduces new definitions for terms like "Mitigation Well System," which refers to infrastructure designed to offset surface water depletion, and "Pueblo Trust Funds," encompassing various funds established for water development and sharing. The bill also reorganizes and renames sections related to these trust funds, clarifying their management, investment, and use for projects like groundwater and surface water infrastructure. Furthermore, it establishes supplemental funding for "Mutual-Benefit Projects," which are collaborative water infrastructure projects, and sets specific deadlines and conditions for their completion, including provisions for alternative or interim offset infrastructure if deadlines are not met. The bill appropriates significant funds for these projects and trust funds, with adjustments for construction cost fluctuations, and includes disclaimers to ensure that these amendments do not alter the original settlement agreement or a related court decree. | Democrat, NM | In Committee | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. | 11/20/2025 | ||
| To amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes. | This bill amends the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act, which is a law designed to resolve a long-standing water rights dispute involving the Pueblos (Native American tribes), the United States, the State of New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque, and Sandoval County. Specifically, the bill modifies a provision related to the completion of the Regional Water System, a project established as part of the settlement. The key change is that the deadlines for completing certain aspects of the Regional Water System can now be extended if all the parties involved—the Pueblos, the United States (represented by the Secretary), the State, the City, and the County—agree that such an extension is reasonably necessary. This provides more flexibility in meeting the project's timelines by requiring consensus among the stakeholders for any deadline adjustments. | Democrat | In Committee | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. | 12/18/2025 | ||
| To approve the settlement of water rights claims of the Yavapai-Apache Nation in the State of Arizona | This bill aims to settle longstanding water rights claims for the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona. It authorizes the construction of the Cragin-Verde Pipeline and enables the Nation to store, lease, or exchange Central Arizona Project (CAP) water. | Republican, AZ | In Committee | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. | 12/26/2025 | ||
| Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025 | This bill, the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025, aims to address the critical water infrastructure needs of Native American Tribes and Native Hawaiian Communities by providing comprehensive funding and support for clean water access. The bill recognizes that nearly half of households on Tribal lands lack reliable water sources and basic sanitation, which is a violation of the federal government's trust responsibility to these communities. It authorizes significant funding across multiple federal agencies, including $100 million annually through the Department of Agriculture for water and waste facility loans and grants, $500 million annually through the Indian Health Service for sanitation facility construction, and $18 million annually for the Bureau of Reclamation's Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program. The bill also provides funds for technical assistance to help Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations access funding, develop utility management capabilities, and improve water infrastructure. Additionally, it expands the definition of eligible facilities to include community structures essential to Tribal life, such as schools, hospitals, and Tribal offices. The legislation aims to ensure that all Tribal lands receive safe and adequate water supply systems by offering financial support, removing traditional matching contribution requirements, and prioritizing the most critical infrastructure needs, with a commitment to long-term maintenance and support of water infrastructure projects. | Democrat, CA, CO, NM, OR | In Committee | Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. | 7/14/2025 | ||
| Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 | This bill establishes a comprehensive water rights settlement for the Tule River Tribe in California, addressing long-standing water rights claims and providing significant financial and land resources to the Tribe. The legislation ratifies a 2007 Agreement between the Tribe, the South Tule Independent Ditch Company, and the Tule River Association, and authorizes a tribal water right of up to 5,828 acre-feet of surface water annually from the South Fork Tule River. The bill creates two trust fund accounts totaling $568 million: one for water development projects and another for operation, maintenance, and replacement (OM&R) costs. It transfers approximately 11,000 acres of federal and tribally owned lands into trust for the Tribe, including Bureau of Land Management lands, Forest Service lands, and various privately owned parcels. The legislation includes extensive provisions for waiving and releasing past water rights claims by the Tribe against the United States, while preserving certain future environmental and water quality rights. The bill also establishes a process for judicial review of the water rights agreement, creates specific operational rules for water diversion, and includes protections to ensure the Tribe can use and develop its water rights without risk of forfeiture. Notably, the lands transferred into trust are explicitly prohibited from being used for gaming purposes, and the settlement is designed to provide a final and comprehensive resolution to the Tribe's water rights claims. | Democrat, CA | In Committee | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 75. | 5/12/2025 | ||
| Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026 | This bill, the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026, aims to resolve all water rights claims of the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona, including those related to the Verde River and Colorado River watersheds. It ratifies and confirms the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement, authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to execute its terms. A key component is the authorization and funding for the Tú ´l nÃchoh Water Infrastructure Project, which includes the Cragin-Verde Pipeline Project to deliver water from the C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir and the Yavapai-Apache Nation Drinking Water System Project for treatment and distribution. The bill establishes funds to support these projects and a trust fund for the Nation's water settlement. It also outlines specific water rights for the Nation, including the use of CAP (Central Arizona Project) water, and details waivers and releases of claims by the Nation and the United States related to water rights, while retaining certain rights. The Act specifies conditions for its enforceability, including the finalization of agreements and the deposit of funds, and includes provisions for the administration of the settlement, such as a limited waiver of sovereign immunity for the Nation and the United States in specific legal actions. Finally, it makes amendments to existing law regarding the C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir to allow for additional water availability for Yavapai County and addresses land transfers for the Town of Camp Verde. | Democrat, AZ | In Committee | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. | 1/13/2026 | ||
| Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 | This bill is a comprehensive water rights settlement act for the Zuni Indian Tribe in New Mexico, addressing water rights claims, establishing a settlement trust fund, and protecting the Zuni Salt Lake and its surrounding sanctuary. The bill provides for the Zuni Tribe to receive $685 million in trust funds, with $655.5 million for water rights settlement and $29.5 million for operation and maintenance. It establishes detailed provisions for how the tribe can use these funds, including water infrastructure development, environmental compliance, and economic development. The bill also withdraws approximately 92,364 acres of federal land to protect the Zuni Salt Lake, with strict restrictions on land use including limitations on motor vehicle access, water well drilling, grazing, and new rights-of-way. The legislation transfers certain federal lands into trust for the Zuni Tribe and provides for future land acquisitions, while carefully preserving existing rights and ensuring environmental protections. Additionally, the bill includes comprehensive waivers and releases of water rights claims, with specific provisions to protect the rights of individual allottees and preserve the tribe's ability to pursue certain environmental and water quality claims. The settlement aims to provide a final and comprehensive resolution to long-standing water rights disputes while supporting the Zuni Tribe's water resource management and cultural preservation efforts. | Democrat, NM | In Committee | Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. | 3/5/2025 | ||
| A bill to amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes. | This bill amends the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act, which is a law designed to resolve a long-standing water rights dispute involving the Pueblos (Native American tribes), the United States, the State of New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque, and Sandoval County. Specifically, the bill modifies a provision related to the completion of the Regional Water System, a project crucial for implementing the settlement. The key change is that the deadlines for completing certain aspects of the Regional Water System, as outlined in subsection (e) of the Act, can now be extended if all the parties involved—the Pueblos, the United States (represented by the Secretary), the State, the City, and the County—agree that such an extension is reasonably necessary. This amendment aims to provide flexibility in meeting the project's timelines by requiring mutual consent for any extensions. | Democrat, NM | In Committee | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. | 12/18/2025 |