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119-s-4417119th CongressWALLET

Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

In Committee

Summary

Expansion and clarification of Pechanga Reservation and water provisions. This bill would amend the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act to redefine reservation lands, broaden water-quality funding in the Wolf Valley Basin, and set rules for updating the settlement agreement.

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  • Adds specific historic parcels and contiguous trust lands to the Reservation, including land tied to Executive Orders from 1882 and parcels added as late as 2008. This changes what land is treated as part of the Band's Reservation.
  • Changes the Pechanga Water Quality Account from funding only groundwater desalination in the Wolf Valley Basin to funding a broader set of activities addressing water quality issues in the Basin.
  • Directs the Secretary of the Interior to execute amendments to the Pechanga Settlement Agreement so it conforms to these revisions and explicitly preserves existing water rights and prior conditions described in the Settlement.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Existing Pechanga water rights protected

If enacted, the bill would not change any water right that existed on the enactment date. It would also preserve the status of satisfaction of any condition precedent described in section 3407(e) and keep the Secretary of the Interior's October 1, 2020 finding that those conditions were fully satisfied. These protections would take effect upon enactment.

More land added to Pechanga Reservation

If enacted, the bill would expand the Pechanga Reservation definition. It would list lands set aside by Executive Orders dated June 27, 1882 and January 9, 1907. It would add lands added on these dates: August 29, 1893; March 11, 1907; February 21, 1931; May 25, 1931; August 12, 1971; August 8, 1988; November 1, 1988; and October 10, 2008. It would also include contiguous land held in trust on the enforceability date and contiguous land in the Santa Margarita River Watershed placed into trust later. The Secretary of the Interior would be required to sign amendments to the Settlement Agreement so the Agreement matches these changes.

More water-quality projects for Wolf Valley

If enacted, the bill would broaden what the Pechanga Water Quality Account can pay for in the Wolf Valley Basin. It would replace a limit to groundwater desalination with authority to fund activities that address water quality issues. Only projects located in the Wolf Valley Basin would qualify under this change.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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