A Republican bill with 2 Republican 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
The Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 seeks to establish a fair and final settlement for the water rights claims of the Fort Belknap Indian Community. The bill ratifies a water rights compact and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to execute it, including provisions for land exchanges and water storage from Lake Elwell. It also facilitates the rehabilitation of the Fort Belknap Indian Irrigation Project and provides specific funding for the Blackfeet Tribe. Furthermore, the act allows for the acquisition of water rights outside the Reservation and participation in Milk River Basin projects.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill provides substantial water rights, infrastructure, and resource development specifically for the Fort Belknap and Blackfeet Tribes.
- Scored +7
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill provides significant funding for water, irrigation, and sewer infrastructure essential for rural tribal communities.
- Scored +6
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The massive investment in water and sewer systems directly improves living standards in these rural areas.
The opposite· 3 of 15
- Scored -1
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit African American demographics.
- Scored -1
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit Hispanic American demographics.
- Scored -1
Would Asian Americans be better off under this?
The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit Asian American demographics.
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 Fort Belknap Indian Community and the United States (Section 102).
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Protection of Water Rights: Tribal water rights will be held in trust and are protected from loss through non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment (Section 105(c)).
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Irrigation Entitlements: Allottees are guaranteed a just and equitable allocation of water for irrigation purposes (Section 105(d)(3)).
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Water Storage Access: The Fort Belknap Indian Community is allocated 20,000 acre-feet of water per year from Lake Elwell for various beneficial purposes (Section 107(a)).
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Infrastructure Improvements: The act authorizes the modernization, expansion, and rehabilitation of the Fort Belknap Indian Irrigation Project (Section 109(a)).
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Debt Relief: The Secretary is directed to cancel and eliminate all debts or liens against the land allotments held by the Fort Belknap Indian Community (Section 115(c)).
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Land Acquisition: The bill allows for the transfer of Federal land into trust for the benefit of the Fort Belknap Indian Community (Section 106(b)(1)).
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Increased Funding for Tribal Programs: The Fort Belknap Indian Community is permitted to seek additional funds for various Tribal programs or purposes (Section (f)(1)).
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State-Based Funding Opportunities: The Fort Belknap Indian Community retains the ability to seek funding from the United States or the State based on their status as an Indian Tribe (Section (f)(2)).
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Water Right Acquisition: Members or allottees of the Fort Belknap Indian Community can acquire or exercise water rights outside the Reservation by purchasing rights or applying under State law (Section (g)).
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Water Storage and Importation: The Fort Belknap Indian Community can participate in projects that involve importing water or adding storage to the Milk River Basin (Section (h)).
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Wastewater and Water Infrastructure: The Blackfeet Tribe is authorized to receive $250,000,000 for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and replacement of community water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities (Section 201).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Waiver of Claims: To reach this settlement, the Fort Belknap Indian Community and the United States must execute a waiver and release of several water rights claims (Section 111(a)).
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Limitations on Land Use: Certain lands held in trust for the Fort Belknap Indian Community under this act are prohibited from being used for class II or class III gaming (Section 106(f)).
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Easements on Land: Land transferred to the community, known as Dodson Land, will be subject to a perpetual easement for the use of the Bureau of Reclamation (Section 106(d)(2)).
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Water Usage Restrictions: The allocation of water from Lake Elwell is subject to agreements that may include specific terms and conditions (Section 107(c)).
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Financial Liability Risks: The United States is not held liable for failing to meet obligations if Congress does not provide enough money or if the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund has insufficient funds (Section 116).
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds large-scale irrigation, water, and sewer infrastructure projects which likely stimulate local employment. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investing in water resources and infrastructure provides a foundation for regional economic activity. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill facilitates water rights and land transfers which can support local agricultural businesses.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides significant funding for water, irrigation, and sewer infrastructure essential for rural tribal communities. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill includes funding for environmental compliance and wetlands restoration.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides substantial water rights, infrastructure, and resource development specifically for the Fort Belknap and Blackfeet Tribes. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The massive investment in water and sewer systems directly improves living standards in these rural areas. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill secures irrigation water rights and infrastructure essential for farming operations. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The cancellation of debts and liens against allotments provides direct financial relief to community members. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit African American demographics. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit Asian American demographics. Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly impact gun ownership rights. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit Hispanic American demographics. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit immigrants. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit the LGBTQ community. Would men be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly impact gender-based social outcomes. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit people with disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit retirees. Would students be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit students. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly impact union worker rights. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill's focus is on rural water and land management. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit veterans. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly benefit white Americans. Would women be better off under this? — The bill's specific provisions do not directly impact gender-based social outcomes.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill funds a Tribal wellness center for a work force health and well-being project.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Improving water and sewer infrastructure and canceling debts/liens can help alleviate economic hardship for community members.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill involves structured legal processes for tribal-federal land and water transfers.
- 8/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/31/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Troy DowningRepublican · Montana
Michael SimpsonRepublican · Idaho