Settles and implements long-running water-rights claims for four New Mexico Pueblos by approving negotiated settlement agreements, creating dedicated federal trust funds, and directing large federal fund transfers into those accounts. The law limits how the money may be spent (mostly on acquiring water rights and building water infrastructure), gives the Pueblos some authority to lease water (including off‑Pueblo land with federal approval), and requires the Pueblos to waive certain past claims once statutory conditions are met; each settlement only becomes enforceable after required federal findings are published and contains deadlines that can cause the settlement authority to expire.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Last progress February 13, 2025 (1 year ago)
Introduced on February 13, 2025 by Teresa Leger Fernandez
Updated 4 hours ago
Last progress February 13, 2025 (1 year ago)