H.R. 1323 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Natural Resources, Feb 13, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summarySettles New Mexico pueblo water rights dispute
This bill approves a water rights settlement agreement for Ohkay Owingeh, a pueblo in New Mexico, and confirms their rights to water from the Rio Chama Stream System. It also creates a trust fund with money set aside specifically for water-related projects, like building or improving water systems that deliver clean water to the community.
How it affects you
This settlement directly affects Ohkay Owingeh pueblo members and nearby communities that depend on Rio Chama water. For them, the agreement clarifies water rights that had been in dispute and provides funding to develop or improve their water infrastructure. If you live outside this area, this change has no direct effect on you.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 13, 2025)
Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh. It also establishes and provides funding for a settlement trust fund.
Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Rio Chama Stream System in New Mexico.
The bill establishes and provides funding for the Ohkay Owingeh Water Rights Settlement Trust Fund. This trust fund may only be used for five specified purposes, including for activities related to water production, treatment, or delivery infrastructure.
The bill also (1) specifies the water rights of the pueblo; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the pueblo and the United States.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1323
A BILL
Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-3) · Introduced Feb 13, 2025 · Native Americans · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 13, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.”
Sections
Sections · 12
- Sec. 1Short title; table of contentsNo change
- Sec. 2PurposesNo change
- Sec. 3DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 4Ratification of AgreementNo change
- Sec. 5Pueblo Water RightsNo change
- Sec. 6Settlement Trust FundNo change
- Sec. 7FundingNo change
- Sec. 8Enforceability DateNo change
- Sec. 9Waivers and releases of claimsNo change
- Sec. 10Satisfaction of claimsNo change
- Sec. 11Miscellaneous provisionsNo change
- Sec. 12AntideficiencyNo change