Bill · S. 563· Senate(119-S-563)
Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/13/2025
- Last activity
- 6/4/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 428.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill aims to settle water rights claims for the Ohkay Owingeh in the Rio Chama Stream System. It authorizes the ratification of a specific Agreement between the Pueblo, the State of New Mexico, and other parties. The legislation establishes a Settlement Trust Fund to finance various water and land projects. Funds are provided for the restoration of the Bosque on Pueblo Land and for water infrastructure. The Act also includes specific legal waivers and releases of claims by the Ohkay Owingeg. Ultimately, it seeks to achieve a final and equitable settlement of all water rights disputes in the system.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill provides essential water rights, infrastructure, and economic funds for the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
The bill provides for the restoration of the bosque and watershed protection.
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The bill supports agricultural improvements and water access for the Pueblo.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Water Rights Security: The Pueblo Water Rights are protected from being lost due to non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment (Section 5(b)).
-
Infrastructure Development: The Trust Fund can be used for planning, designing, and constructing water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure for domestic and municipal supply (Section 6(g)(1)).
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Agricultural Support: Funds are available for the acquisition of water and on-farm improvements for irrigation and livestock (Section 6(g)(2)).
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Environmental Restoration: The bill allows for the use of funds for watershed protection and the restoration or improvement of the bosque (Section 6(g)(3)).
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Economic and Community Welfare: Funds may be used for water-related Pueblo community welfare and economic development (Section 6(g)(3)).
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Water System Improvements for the City of Espanola: The State is required to contribute $32,000,000 for water system improvement projects in the City of Espanola (Section 7(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loss of Legal Claims: The Ohkay Owingeh and the United States must execute a waiver and release of various water rights claims and damages that occurred up to the Enforceability Date (Section 9(a)).
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Specific Claim Waivers: The Pueblo waives claims against the United States regarding foregone benefits from non-Pueblo water use, damage to natural resources, and the failure to provide specific irrigation or municipal water systems (Section 9(b)).
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Responsibility for Costs: The Pueblo is responsible for all operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of any project constructed using the Trust Fund (Section 6(l)).
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Risk of Expiration: If the Secretary fails to publish a statement of findings by July 1, 2038, the Act expires, which would void the settlement and require unexpended funds and certain property to be returned to the Federal Government (Section 9(g)).
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 Farmers+5Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Urban Residents+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+6Improves Public Land Management+4Improves Rural Development+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3
- 6/4/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-124.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 428.
- 3/5/2025
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2/13/2025
- 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.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico