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119-hr-5935119th CongressWALLET

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

Sponsored By: Representative Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

In Committee

Summary

Final settlement of Agua Caliente water rights and a $500 million trust fund. This bill creates a statutory framework that quantifies and holds in trust a Tribal Water Right of up to 20,000 acre-feet per year and funds a four-account Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund to support water projects, management, operations, and replacement.

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  • Tribe and Allottees: Establishes a Tribal Water Right held in trust by the United States and authorizes production or use up to 20,000 acre-feet per year. The right cannot be lost through non-use and is generally removed from state law outside of a comprehensive adjudication.
  • Funding and projects: Creates the Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund with four accounts and mandatory deposits totaling $500 million. $50 million from the Development Projects Account is immediately available on deposit for planning and construction of water reliability and recycling projects.
  • Local governments, water districts, and taxes: Transfers specified Federal lands into trust for the Tribe and allows the Coachella Valley Water District to buy Facility Land at fair market value under defined appraisal and payment rules. Replaces the Riverside County ad valorem tax on possessory interests with a Tribal Possessory Interest Tax and directs distributions to other public agencies under an apportionment schedule.

*Mandatory federal deposits total $500 million into the trust fund, increasing federal outlays and subject to indexing for cost changes.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Agua Caliente $500 million fund

If enacted, the government would create a $500 million Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund. The bill would place $300 million in a Development Projects Account, $100 million in a Groundwater Augmentation Account, $50 million in a Water Management Account, and $50 million in an Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement Account. Of the Development Projects money, $50 million would be available to the Tribe on deposit for planning and project work. Indexing for cost changes would start May 19, 2025 and run until funds are deposited. Withdrawals would require an approved Tribal management plan or a Secretary-approved expenditure plan. No money could be paid out on a per capita basis.

Tribal groundwater right and fees

If enacted, the bill would confirm a Tribal Water Right of up to 20,000 acre-feet per year. The right would have a priority date no later than the 1876 and 1877 Executive Orders. The Tribe would set rates, production fees, and delivery charges on the Reservation under its Water Ordinance and the Agreement. Allottees would get water from the Tribal Water Right. They must use tribal remedies before federal claims until the Secretary approves ordinance amendments. Off-reservation leases would be allowed for up to 99 years with Secretary approval.

Tribal tax replaces county property tax

If enacted, the Tribe could impose a Tribal Tax on possessory interests instead of Riverside County ad valorem property tax. That change would take effect the January 1 after the Enforceability Date. The Tribal Tax rate and assessed value could not be set below what Riverside County would have applied. The Tribe must distribute proceeds to Other Public Agencies to match county receipts and may delegate collection to Riverside County. Government and nonprofit interests that are exempt under California law would remain exempt. Tribal Tax proceeds could not be paid per person.

Federal land transfers and sale

If enacted, specified federal parcels would be taken into trust for the Tribe on the Enforceability Date and removed from public-land claims, mining locations, and mineral leasing. The Bureau of Indian Affairs would assume prior management benefits and duties and the Secretary must issue trust deeds within 10 years. The Secretary must appraise the Facility Land within 90 days after the Enforceability Date. CVWD would have 30 days to offer the appraised fair market value and must pay within 30 days after conveyance. CVWD would pay appraisal and conveyance costs. CVWD must stop ground work if suspected Tribal Cultural Resources are found and notify Tribal officials and the coroner for human remains.

Timing, waivers, and legal limits

If enacted, the bill would define an "Enforceability Date" when the Secretary publishes five specific findings in the Federal Register. Many settlement actions, funding, land transfers, and waivers would only take effect on that date. The bill would toll time limits on listed claims from enactment until the Enforceability Date. The bill would let the Act expire if the Secretary does not publish the findings by December 31, 2035. The parties may agree to a later date. The United States would not be liable for failing to perform Act duties if Congress does not provide the money. The bill would preserve federal environmental claims and some enforcement rights.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

CA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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