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Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-953| Senate 
| Updated: 3/11/2026
Mark Kelly

Mark Kelly

Democratic Senator

Arizona

Cosponsors (1)
Ruben Gallego (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 aims to achieve a comprehensive and final resolution of water rights claims for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe in Arizona. It formally ratifies a complex settlement agreement, outlining the allocation of specific Colorado River water entitlements to these tribes and their allottees. The Act also directs the Secretary of the Interior to execute the agreement and fulfill associated obligations. A central provision of the bill is the establishment of significant financial resources for the tribes. It mandates the appropriation of over $3.4 billion into dedicated tribal water settlement trust funds for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. These funds are earmarked for critical infrastructure projects, including water delivery systems, operation and maintenance costs, agricultural conservation, and renewable energy initiatives. Furthermore, the Act authorizes over $1.7 billion for the planning, design, and construction of the "iina ba - paa tuwaqat'si pipeline." This major water project is designed to deliver potable Colorado River Water to communities within the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Southern Area, addressing long-standing water supply needs. The pipeline's construction is subject to environmental compliance and a cost-sharing agreement, with eventual transfer of ownership to the tribes. In exchange for these substantial benefits, the bill requires extensive waivers and releases of past, present, and future water rights claims by the participating tribes and the United States, acting as their trustee. These waivers cover claims against the State of Arizona, other entities, and the federal government, ensuring legal certainty regarding water allocations. However, certain claims, such as the enforcement of the settlement's terms, are explicitly retained. The settlement's enforceability is contingent upon several key conditions, including the revision and execution of the settlement agreement by all required parties, the authorization and appropriation of the full $5.136 billion in federal funding, and the approval of related adjudication decrees. If these conditions are not met by a specified deadline, the Act will be repealed, and unspent funds will revert to the Treasury, with the exception of the creation of the San Juan Southern Paiute Reservation. The Act also includes provisions for Colorado River water accounting, limited waivers of tribal sovereign immunity for enforcement actions, and the formal creation of the San Juan Southern Paiute Reservation.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4633
Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024
Mar 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2025
Introduced in House
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 11, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 11, 2026
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4633
    Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024


  • March 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 11, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 11, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • March 11, 2026
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2025: Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
Advisory bodiesArizonaCommunity life and organizationDams and canalsFederal-Indian relationsGeography and mappingGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsIndian claimsIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsInterest, dividends, interest ratesLakes and riversLicensing and registrationsNew MexicoUtahWater resources fundingWater storageWater use and supply

Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-953| Senate 
| Updated: 3/11/2026
The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 aims to achieve a comprehensive and final resolution of water rights claims for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe in Arizona. It formally ratifies a complex settlement agreement, outlining the allocation of specific Colorado River water entitlements to these tribes and their allottees. The Act also directs the Secretary of the Interior to execute the agreement and fulfill associated obligations. A central provision of the bill is the establishment of significant financial resources for the tribes. It mandates the appropriation of over $3.4 billion into dedicated tribal water settlement trust funds for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. These funds are earmarked for critical infrastructure projects, including water delivery systems, operation and maintenance costs, agricultural conservation, and renewable energy initiatives. Furthermore, the Act authorizes over $1.7 billion for the planning, design, and construction of the "iina ba - paa tuwaqat'si pipeline." This major water project is designed to deliver potable Colorado River Water to communities within the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Southern Area, addressing long-standing water supply needs. The pipeline's construction is subject to environmental compliance and a cost-sharing agreement, with eventual transfer of ownership to the tribes. In exchange for these substantial benefits, the bill requires extensive waivers and releases of past, present, and future water rights claims by the participating tribes and the United States, acting as their trustee. These waivers cover claims against the State of Arizona, other entities, and the federal government, ensuring legal certainty regarding water allocations. However, certain claims, such as the enforcement of the settlement's terms, are explicitly retained. The settlement's enforceability is contingent upon several key conditions, including the revision and execution of the settlement agreement by all required parties, the authorization and appropriation of the full $5.136 billion in federal funding, and the approval of related adjudication decrees. If these conditions are not met by a specified deadline, the Act will be repealed, and unspent funds will revert to the Treasury, with the exception of the creation of the San Juan Southern Paiute Reservation. The Act also includes provisions for Colorado River water accounting, limited waivers of tribal sovereign immunity for enforcement actions, and the formal creation of the San Juan Southern Paiute Reservation.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4633
Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024
Mar 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2025
Introduced in House
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 11, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 11, 2026
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4633
    Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024


  • March 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 11, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 11, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • March 11, 2026
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
Mark Kelly

Mark Kelly

Democratic Senator

Arizona

Cosponsors (1)
Ruben Gallego (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2025: Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesArizonaCommunity life and organizationDams and canalsFederal-Indian relationsGeography and mappingGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsIndian claimsIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsInterest, dividends, interest ratesLakes and riversLicensing and registrationsNew MexicoUtahWater resources fundingWater storageWater use and supply