Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)
Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025, aims to settle water rights claims for the Zuni Indian Tribe within the Zuni River Stream System in New Mexico. It ratifies a specific settlement agreement to provide a fair and final resolution for the Tribe and the United States. The legislation establishes a settlement trust fund to manage funds for water infrastructure, planning, and management. Additionally, it includes provisions to protect the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary through the withdrawal of certain Federal lands. Some land will be transferred into trust for the benefit of the Tribe.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill settles water rights, protects sacred sites, and provides significant funding for Zuni tribal infrastructure and land.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill withdraws land to protect the Zuni Salt Lake, its water resources, and cultural values.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill funds the construction and repair of water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure for the Tribe.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this tighten control of the border?
The land withdrawal and trust transfers involve specific land management in New Mexico, though not directly focused on border security.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Settlement of Water Rights: The bill provides a fair, equitable, and final settlement of water rights claims for the Zuni Indian Tribe in the Zuni River Stream System (Section 101).
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Protection of Water Rights: Tribal water rights will be held in trust by the United States and are protected from loss through non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment (Section 104).
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Financial Support for Infrastructure: The establishment of the Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund allows for the development of economic water plans, installation of groundwater wells, and repairs to irrigation infrastructure (Section s 105(e)).
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Protection of Natural Resources: Certain Federal lands are withdrawn from entry, appropriation, or disposal to protect the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, including its water resources and cultural values (Section 202).
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Land Transfer to Tribe: The Secretary is directed to take into trust for the benefit of the Tribe certain lands described as the "Tribal Acquisition Area" (Section 204).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Waiver of Legal Claims: The Zuni Tribe and the United States must execute a waiver and release of various water rights claims and damages that accrued up to the Enforceability Date (Section 107).
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Restrictions on Land Use: Certain Federal lands are withdrawn from forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal, including restrictions on mining laws and mineral/geothermal leasing (Section 202).
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Land Management Restrictions: The withdrawn land will have specific restrictions, such as limitations on motor vehicle use, prohibitions on new water wells or grazing increases, and a prohibition on the sale or free use of timber (Section 203).
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Tribal Responsibility for Costs: All operation, maintenance, and replacement costs for any project constructed using funds from the Trust Fund are the responsibility of the Tribe (Section 105(m)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill settles water rights, protects sacred sites, and provides significant funding for Zuni tribal infrastructure and land. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved water infrastructure can enhance essential services for tribal members. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The development of water infrastructure may benefit the broader rural water management in the region.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill withdraws land to protect the Zuni Salt Lake, its water resources, and cultural values. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill funds the construction and repair of water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure for the Tribe.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investment in water infrastructure and economic development plans aims to support tribal economic growth. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds water infrastructure and economic development plans for the Zuni Tribe.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Funding for water infrastructure and economic development is intended to support the Zuni Tribe's economic welfare. Does this tighten control of the border? — The land withdrawal and trust transfers involve specific land management in New Mexico, though not directly focused on border security.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The Secretary is required to publish maps and legal descriptions in the Federal Register.
- 2/18/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Teresa Leger FernandezDemocrat · New Mexico
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico