Bill · H.R. 5935· House(119-HR-5935)
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act
- Introduced
- 11/7/2025
- Last activity
- 9/10/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Sponsored by
- Ken Calvert
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill settles water rights claims for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in California. It ratifies an agreement between the Tribe, the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), and the Desert Water Agency (DWA). The Act confirms the Tribe's right to use up to 20,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year and establishes a settlement trust fund. It also authorizes the transfer of certain Federal lands to the Tribe and the sale of "Facility Land" to CVWD. Additionally, it allows the Tribe to implement its own possessory interest tax.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+10
Directly provides water rights settlement, funding, and land transfers to the Agua Caliente Tribe.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+7
Recognizes and quantifies water rights for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Would farmers be better off under this?+6
Ensures equitable distribution of water for irrigation for allottees.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-5
The bill increases federal spending through mandatory appropriations for the settlement trust fund.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-3
Preempts state and local laws regarding water rights and certain property taxes.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-2
Increases federal spending obligations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Improved Water Infrastructure: The creation of the Agua Caliente Development Projects Account provides funds for projects that improve water supply, reliability, infrastructure, and quality for the Reservation and the Indio Subbasin (Section 6(h)(1)).
- Protection of Cultural Resources: The bill requires CVWD to stop ground-disturbing activity if Tribal Cultural Resources are discovered and gives the Tribe the right to decide on the treatment and disposition of those resources (Section 13(g)).
- Allottee Water Access: The Act ensures that Allottees are entitled to a just and equitable distribution of water for irrigation purposes (Section 5(h)(3)).
- Funding for Groundwater: The Agua Caliente Groundwater Augmentation Account provides money to reimburse water districts for projects that support groundwater levels under the Reservation (Section 6(h)(2)).
- Traditional Use of Water: Tribal Members maintain the right to use water from wells, streams, seeps, and springs on the Reservation for traditional and cultural purposes without it counting against the Tribal Water Right, provided it is non-consumptive (Section 5(n)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Legal Claims: The Tribe and the United States must waive and release a wide range of claims, including those for water rights, damages from groundwater overdraft, and losses resulting from the collection of replenishment assessment charges (Section 9(a)).
- New Tax Obligations: The Act authorizes the Tribe to impose a Tribal Possessory Interest Tax on those with a possessory interest in land or improvements (Section 11(b)(1)).
- Gaming Restrictions: Federal lands transferred to the Tribe under this Act are specifically prohibited from being used for class II or class III gaming (Section 12(g)).
- Limited Individual Recourse: Allottees must exhaust all remedies under Tribal Law before they can initiate an action against the United States or petition the Secretary regarding water allocations (Section 5(i)(3)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+10Good For Farmers+6Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Business Owners+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7Improves Religious Freedom+5Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Increases Job Creation+2Reduces Government Spending-5Improves Fiscal Responsibility-2Reduces National Debt-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights-3
- 9/10/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 1/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/7/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Raul RuizDemocrat · California