Sponsors
The bill makes Colorado River shortage allocations more predictable and operationally manageable—benefiting states, managers, and smaller users—but does so by applying pro‑rata cuts that shift burdens onto senior rights holders and could spark economic harm and legal disputes.
State water agencies in Arizona, California, and Nevada (and federal operators) gain a clear, predictable pro‑rata rule for shortage allocations, reducing ad hoc allocation disputes between states and agencies.
The bill clarifies the Secretary of the Interior's role and authority during shortages, which can speed operational decisions for projects like the Central Arizona Project and improve day‑to‑day water management.
Smaller water users (including some agricultural users and rural communities) are likely to receive more equitable proportional reductions because allocations are based on pro‑rata shares rather than water‑rights seniority.
Holders of longstanding (senior) water rights—including many farmers and communities—may face larger cuts and resulting legal challenges because the pro‑rata approach does not protect seniority.
States and large water users that historically relied on senior rights (notably parts of Arizona and California) may experience significant economic harm from reduced allocations.
Clarifying federal allocation rules and authority could prompt litigation and interstate disputes over the interpretation of 'base annual apportionments,' creating legal uncertainty and potential costs for taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires that when the Secretary of the Interior declares a shortage or reduction of main‑stem Colorado River water for the Central Arizona Project (CAP), consumptive diversions by Arizona, California, and Nevada must be cut on a pro rata basis according to each State's base annual apportionment. The change removes any statutory preference for holders of currently perfected water rights in those shortage reductions. The amendment affects how the Secretary calculates and apportions shortage reductions among the three States; it does not allocate new funding, create agencies, or set implementation deadlines.
Introduced January 14, 2026 by David Schweikert · Last progress January 14, 2026