Bill · S. 3242· Senate(119-S-3242)
Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 11/20/2025
- Last activity
- 11/20/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Ben Luján
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, aims to amend existing law to help implement the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement. It updates definitions to include terms like the "Mitigation Well System" and establishes several new "Pueblo Trust Funds." These funds are designed to support water development, including groundwater and surface water sharing infrastructure. Additionally, the bill provides for supplemental funding for mutual-benefit projects. The legislation includes specific mandates for transferring funds into the Treasury to support these water-related efforts.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill establishes trust funds specifically for the Taos Pueblo to develop essential water infrastructure.
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The bill funds critical water development, treatment, and sharing infrastructure for the Taos Pueblo area.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
The bill invests in water development and infrastructure essential for rural communities in the Taos region.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill mandates several hundred million dollars in transfers from the Treasury to various trust funds.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Water Infrastructure: The bill establishes the "Taos Pueblo Groundwater Development Supplemental Trust Fund" which allows the Pueblo to pay for or reimburse costs related to investigating, planning, and constructing groundwater production, treatment, or delivery infrastructure. (Section 3, subsection (h))
-
Support for Surface Water Sharing: The creation of the "Taos Pueblo Surface Water Sharing Supplemental Trust Fund" provides the Pueblo with funds to pay for or reimburse costs for surface water sharing infrastructure and gages. (Section 3, subsection (i))
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Financial Assistance for Non-Pueblo Entities: The Secretary, through the Commissioner of Reclamation, can provide financial assistance to "Eligible Non-Pueblo Entities" via grants, assistance agreements, or contracts to plan and construct Mutual-Benefit Projects, including water treatment. (Section s, subsection (c)(1))
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Funding Adjustments for Economic Changes: The bill allows for mandatory appropriations to be adjusted based on changes in construction costs or unforeseen market volatility to ensure projects remain funded as costs change. (Section 5, subsections (k)(2), (l)(2), and (m)(2))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Strict Deadlines and Financial Risks for Entities: "Eligible Non-Pueblo Entities" that are working on Mutual-Benefit Projects must meet strict construction and expenditure deadlines; failure to comply can lead to the termination of their grant, contract, or financial assistance agreement and may require them to return unexpended funds. (Section 4, subsection (c)(3))
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+7Good For Rural Residents+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 11/20/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico