Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
In Committee
Summary
This bill would create dedicated federal subaccounts to fund and finish Indian water rights settlements. It sets annual deposit schedules and gives the Department of the Interior authority to transfer money to specific tribal settlement funds and other Congress‑approved settlements.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New Treasury funds for tribal water settlements
If enacted, the bill would create two new Treasury subaccounts inside the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund. One subaccount would get $45 million on the later of Oct 1, 2026 or the date of enactment and $45 million each Oct 1 through Oct 1, 2035. The other subaccount would get $250 million on the same schedule and each Oct 1 through Oct 1, 2035. Interior would be able to transfer these amounts without further appropriation to tribal trust funds or other accounts to pay approved Indian water rights settlement obligations. Interior would decide the timing, amounts, and indexing of transfers to finish eligible settlements as quickly as practicable.
Blocks Reclamation Fund for White Mountain Apache
If enacted, the bill would amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act to bar using the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund to provide amounts described in section 312(e)(2)(B). The prohibition would apply even if other law otherwise allows the Fund to be used. This would limit one funding source available for those White Mountain Apache water obligations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov