Related
Water Rights Protection Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues of water rights with respect to lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, including water rights of federally recognized Indian tribes. Specifically, such departments must ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement than under applicable state water law. Further, such departments shall not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights. The bill also prohibits such departments from requiring water users to transfer water rights to the United States or acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of issuing or renewing a land use or occupancy agreement.
Water Rights Protection Act of 2025This bill limits the transfer of water rights from water users to the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA).First, the bill prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements (e.g., permits and leases) on the transfer of any water right to the United States. Next, it prohibits Interior and USDA from requiring water users, including Indian tribes, to acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of the issuance or renewal of a land use or occupancy agreement. Finally, it prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning or withholding the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements on (1) limiting the date, time, quantity, location of diversion or pumping, or place of use of a state water right beyond any applicable limitations under state water law; or (2) modifying the terms and conditions of groundwater withdrawal, guidance and reporting procedures, or conservation and source protection measures established by a state.Interior and USDA must also ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement than under applicable state water law.Further, Interior and USDA must not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights.
Water Rights Protection Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues of water rights with respect to lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, including water rights of federally recognized Indian tribes. Specifically, such departments must ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement than under applicable state water law. Further, such departments shall not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights. The bill also prohibits such departments from requiring water users to transfer water rights to the United States or acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of issuing or renewing a land use or occupancy agreement.
Reforms the organizational structure for the Department of Transportation and Development including its duties, powers, and responsibilities of officers and employees (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)