Bill · S. 4368· Senate(119-S-4368)
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act
- Introduced
- 4/22/2026
- Last activity
- 7/29/2026 — Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to approve a final settlement regarding the water rights of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. It establishes a specific Tribal Water Right for up to 20,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year. To implement this, the Act authorizes the creation of a settlement trust fund with several dedicated accounts for development and management. It also provides for the transfer of specific Federal lands into trust for the Tribe and the sale of other Federal lands to the Coachella Valley Water District. Finally, the legislation includes provisions for a Tribal tax to replace existing property taxes and settles various legal claims.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill secures critical water rights and transfers federal land into trust for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+7
The bill settles long-standing water rights claims for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The act funds water infrastructure and development projects within the reservation and Indio Subbasin.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-3
The bill preempts certain state and local laws regarding property taxes and water rights in favor of tribal and federal arrangements.
Would high-income households be better off under this?-1
Changes to property tax structures may impact local high-value property assessments.
Does this cut taxes for middle-income families?-1
The bill replaces existing property taxes with a Tribal tax which may alter the tax burden for certain residents.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Settlement of Water Rights: The bill provides a fair and final settlement for the Tribe's water rights, which includes the right to use up to 20,000 acre-feet of groundwater annually (Section 5).
-
Water Infrastructure Funding: The creation of the Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund allows for the financing of water-related projects that can improve water supply, reliability, and quality for the Reservation and the Indio Subbasin (Section 6).
-
Land Ownership: The Act authorizes the transfer of Federal land into trust for the benefit of the Tribe (Section 12).
-
Protection of Cultural Resources: The bill establishes protocols for the protection and treatment of tribal cultural resources if they are discovered during land use activities (Section 13).
-
Water Rights for Traditional Use: Tribal members and the Tribe have the right to use water from wells, streams, seeps, and springs for traditional and cultural purposes without it counting against their main water right (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Expiration of the Act: If the Secretary fails to publish a specific statement of findings by December 31, 2035, the Act expires, which would void the water rights, contracts, and land transfers authorized by this legislation (Section 8).
-
Waiver of Legal Claims: The bill requires the Tribe and the United States to waive and release various legal claims, including those related to water rights, damages from groundwater overdraft, and water quality issues (Section 9).
-
Taxation Changes: The Act preempts the existing Riverside County Ad Valorem Property Tax, replacing it with a Tribal Possessory Interest Tax (Section 11).
-
Land Transfer Restrictions: Lands transferred into trust under this Act are not eligible for class II or class III gaming (Section 12).
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+8Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Urban Residents+2Good For High Income Households-1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7Improves Affordable Housing+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+5Reduces Middle Class Taxes-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increase States Rights-3
- 7/29/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
- 4/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1937)
- 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.
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California