This bill amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to enhance its effectiveness and clarify funding mechanisms. It redefines terms, repeals an outdated section, and significantly restructures the administration of settlement funds to improve implementation. A key change involves the transformation of the "MR&I System" into the MR&I Projects Account within the Crow Settlement Fund. Funds from this account are primarily designated for the planning, design, construction, and repair of water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure, including wastewater, and for environmental compliance. Once these on-Reservation infrastructure projects are complete, remaining funds may be used by the Tribe to purchase on-Reservation land with water rights; title and control of all projects remain with the Tribe, and the federal government has no obligation for operation or maintenance. The legislation also establishes a new Crow CIP Implementation Account , a nontrust, interest-bearing account managed by the Secretary, to support specific activities under the original Act. It mandates the transfer of funds from existing joint signature accounts into these newly created accounts and introduces an indexing adjustment for MR&I Projects Account funds to account for cost fluctuations. Additional amendments include the redesignation of several sections within the 2010 Act and an extension of the period for Yellowtail Dam, Montana, from 15 to 20 years. Various technical and conforming changes are also made throughout the original legislation, including updating the table of contents, to ensure consistency and clarity.
Dams and canalsGovernment trust fundsIndian lands and resources rightsMontanaWater use and supply
Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-240| Senate
| Updated: 12/15/2025
This bill amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to enhance its effectiveness and clarify funding mechanisms. It redefines terms, repeals an outdated section, and significantly restructures the administration of settlement funds to improve implementation. A key change involves the transformation of the "MR&I System" into the MR&I Projects Account within the Crow Settlement Fund. Funds from this account are primarily designated for the planning, design, construction, and repair of water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure, including wastewater, and for environmental compliance. Once these on-Reservation infrastructure projects are complete, remaining funds may be used by the Tribe to purchase on-Reservation land with water rights; title and control of all projects remain with the Tribe, and the federal government has no obligation for operation or maintenance. The legislation also establishes a new Crow CIP Implementation Account , a nontrust, interest-bearing account managed by the Secretary, to support specific activities under the original Act. It mandates the transfer of funds from existing joint signature accounts into these newly created accounts and introduces an indexing adjustment for MR&I Projects Account funds to account for cost fluctuations. Additional amendments include the redesignation of several sections within the 2010 Act and an extension of the period for Yellowtail Dam, Montana, from 15 to 20 years. Various technical and conforming changes are also made throughout the original legislation, including updating the table of contents, to ensure consistency and clarity.