Sponsors (2)
The bill directs dedicated funding and federal account management to improve Crow Tribe water infrastructure and preserves tribal ownership, but shifts ongoing operation and maintenance costs to the Tribe and introduces potential delays and reduced timing control from Secretary‑managed accounts.
Crow Tribe members and nearby rural communities gain improved water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure because MR&I Projects Account funds can be used to plan, design, construct, operate, or repair water systems.
The Crow Tribe retains title, control, and operation of projects funded under the bill, preserving tribal ownership and self-determination over water systems.
Projects can use funds to comply with environmental laws for MR&I activities, helping protect public health and local ecosystems.
Crow Tribe and local communities could face long-term financial burdens because the federal government disclaims any obligation to pay for operation, maintenance, or replacement of MR&I projects.
Depositing previously held joint-account funds into Secretary-managed accounts may reduce Tribes' direct control over the timing of distributions, limiting immediate tribal decision‑making authority.
Shifting funds into new accounts and applying indexing/administrative transfers could delay tribes' access to funds while transfers and computations occur.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Replaces an MR&I "System" with MR&I "Projects," creates an MR&I Projects Account inside the Crow Settlement Fund, and clarifies fund management, permissible uses, and long‑term operations.
Revises the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act to replace a single MR&I "System" approach with discrete MR&I "Projects," create a dedicated MR&I Projects Account inside the Crow Settlement Fund, and update fund management, investment, distribution, and permissible uses. The Secretary (Interior) is made explicitly responsible for managing, investing, and distributing the Crow Settlement Fund, and the bill clarifies allowable tribal uses and long‑term operation responsibilities for projects paid from the MR&I Projects Account.
Official title: Amend the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to make improvements to that Act, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 24, 2025 by Steve Daines · Last progress December 15, 2025