Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026

This bill would create two new subaccounts in the federal Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund. From October 1, 2026 through October 1, 2035, the Treasury would deposit $45 million each year into one subaccount for operating, maintaining, and repairing water projects under five named Tribal water rights settlements, including those of the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Hualapai Tribe. The Treasury would also deposit $250 million each year into a second subaccount for any Indian water rights settlement approved by Congress. The Secretary of the Interior could use these funds without further action by Congress and would decide the order and timing of transfers. The bill also changes a funding rule in the White Mountain Apache Tribe water rights law.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Ben Ray Luján Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors