Sponsors (2)
Permits extension of certain Aamodt settlement completion dates if the Pueblos, U.S. (Secretary), State, City, and County all agree an extension is reasonably necessary.
The bill gives Pueblos and governments flexible, cooperative authority to extend settlement deadlines and reduce litigation risk, but that flexibility can prolong uncertainty, delay local project benefits or land transfers, and impose modest additional federal costs on taxpayers.
Pueblos and federal/state/local governments can mutually agree to extend settlement completion deadlines, reducing the risk of missed obligations, avoiding rushed work, and preventing intergovernmental disputes.
Pueblo communities and federal agencies face lower litigation and administrative costs because the bill allows cooperative determination of 'substantial completion' and encourages negotiated resolution of deadline disputes.
Pueblos gain practical flexibility to manage settlement projects and meet obligations when circumstances change, reducing pressure to meet rigid deadlines.
Pueblos may face prolonged uncertainty and project delays if any required party withholds consent to an extension, leaving settlements unresolved.
Local residents and governments could see postponed project benefits or delayed land transfers tied to completion dates when extensions are granted.
Taxpayers may incur additional federal administrative costs if extensions lengthen federal involvement in settlement implementation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows the deadline dates in the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to be extended when all key parties agree it is reasonably necessary. Specifically, it relabels an existing provision heading and adds a rule that the Pueblos, the United States (through the Secretary), the State, the City, and the County may jointly agree to extend the settlement completion dates by mutual consent.
Official title: Amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 18, 2025 by Ben Ray Luján · Last progress December 18, 2025