Updated 1 week ago
Last progress January 24, 2025 (11 months ago)
This bill updates a 2010 water rights settlement between the Crow Tribe of Montana and the State of Montana. It shifts how water projects are managed and funded so work can continue on the Crow Irrigation Project and on drinking water and delivery systems across the reservation. It creates new accounts to hold and use money for water production, treatment, and delivery, and it changes references from one big MR&I “System” to a set of MR&I “Projects.” It also gives the tribe five more years—until 2030—to be the only ones allowed to build hydropower at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam, which could support local power and jobs.
The bill also covers topics like tribal water rights, water storage at Bighorn Lake, a Crow Settlement Fund, the Yellowtail Dam, and overall funding and timing rules for the settlement.
Last progress December 15, 2025 (2 weeks ago)
Introduced on January 24, 2025 by Steve Daines
Received in the House.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.