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Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4890| Senate 
| Updated: 7/29/2026
Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Martin Heinrich (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to establish two new subaccounts within the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund, ensuring the United States fulfills its obligations for Indian water rights settlements. These subaccounts will receive dedicated annual funding from 2026 through 2035, available to the Secretary of the Interior without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation. The Operations, Maintenance, Repair, and Ongoing Obligations Subaccount will receive $45 million annually, specifically allocated for water delivery, operation, maintenance, and repair costs for several existing settlements, including those for the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Hualapai Tribe. The New and Continuing Settlements Subaccount will receive $250 million annually to satisfy U.S. obligations under any Indian water rights settlement approved by Congress. The Secretary of the Interior retains discretion over the timing and amounts of transfers from this subaccount to expeditiously complete eligible settlements.
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Timeline
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Jul 29, 2026
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • July 29, 2026
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • S 119-4731: Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026

Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4890| Senate 
| Updated: 7/29/2026
This bill amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to establish two new subaccounts within the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund, ensuring the United States fulfills its obligations for Indian water rights settlements. These subaccounts will receive dedicated annual funding from 2026 through 2035, available to the Secretary of the Interior without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation. The Operations, Maintenance, Repair, and Ongoing Obligations Subaccount will receive $45 million annually, specifically allocated for water delivery, operation, maintenance, and repair costs for several existing settlements, including those for the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Hualapai Tribe. The New and Continuing Settlements Subaccount will receive $250 million annually to satisfy U.S. obligations under any Indian water rights settlement approved by Congress. The Secretary of the Interior retains discretion over the timing and amounts of transfers from this subaccount to expeditiously complete eligible settlements.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Jul 29, 2026
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • July 29, 2026
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Martin Heinrich (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • S 119-4731: Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted