James Risch (R-ID)
A bill to amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 700.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify rules regarding the use of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, and other authorizations for aquifer recharge purposes. It allows holders to use these existing authorizations on behalf of states, political subdivisions, Indian Tribes, or public entities without needing additional approval from the Secretary. The legislation states that these uses will not be considered an expansion, modification, or substantial deviation. Additionally, the bill requires holders to submit a notice to the Bureau of Land Management at least 30 days before using an existing authorization for aquifer recharge. Finally, it specifies that the section does not waive the obligation to comply with applicable Federal laws and Bureau policies, nor does it provide authority to construct, modify, or expand existing infrastructure.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +3
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly allows Indian Tribes to use existing water rights for aquifer recharge purposes.
- Scored +3
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill specifically allows States and political subdivisions to use existing water rights for aquifer recharge.
- Scored +2
Would farmers be better off under this?
Water rights and transport flexibility often provide indirect benefits to agricultural sectors.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill waives compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Endangered Species Act.
- Scored -3
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill eases certain regulations and oversight regarding the use of existing water infrastructure on public lands.
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill reduces the Secretary's oversight by allowing water transport without additional authorization.
How the text last changed
Reported to Senate (11/12/2026), compared with Introduced in Senate. Each change is on the Text tab.
The newer version of the bill modifies rules regarding the use of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations for aquifer recharge and water transport under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act. It removes a specific exemption that would have excused certain non-profit aquifer recharge uses from paying additional rent to the Bureau of Land Management. The updated text also alters provisions regarding compliance with specific environmental and water laws, replacing a list of exempted statutes with a requirement to comply with all applicable Federal laws and Bureau policies. Additionally, it adjusts wording regarding technical amendments and the definition of actions that do not constitute a major Federal action.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Assistance for Public Entities and Tribes: Under section 1(a), holders of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations may use them on behalf of a State, political subdivision of a State, Indian Tribe, or public entity for aquifer recharge purposes without requiring additional authorization from the Secretary. This could make it easier for these public groups to manage water resources.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Mandatory Notice Requirements: Section 1(a) requires holders to submit a detailed notice to the Bureau of Land Management not less than 30 days before using an existing authorization for aquifer recharge, which includes identifying specific entities, rights-of-way, scope of use, and providing a copy of the agreement. This adds bureaucratic reporting steps for those involved in water management.
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill waives compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Endangered Species Act. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill eases certain regulations and oversight regarding the use of existing water infrastructure on public lands.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly allows Indian Tribes to use existing water rights for aquifer recharge purposes. Would farmers be better off under this? — Water rights and transport flexibility often provide indirect benefits to agricultural sectors. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Improved aquifer recharge could support long-term water security in rural areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill specifically allows States and political subdivisions to use existing water rights for aquifer recharge. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill reduces the Secretary's oversight by allowing water transport without additional authorization. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill waives compliance with certain environmental acts, which may reduce public transparency regarding water use impacts.
A committee approved it and sent it to the floor
What changed from Introduced in Senate
The newer version of the bill modifies rules regarding the use of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations for aquifer recharge and water transport under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act. It removes a specific exemption that would have excused certain non-profit aquifer recharge uses from paying additional rent to the Bureau of Land Management. The updated text also alters provisions regarding compliance with specific environmental and water laws, replacing a list of exempted statutes with a requirement to comply with all applicable Federal laws and Bureau policies. Additionally, it adjusts wording regarding technical amendments and the definition of actions that do not constitute a major Federal action.
Each change
- Section 1 was changed to remove the phrase "major Federal action" from the list of terms that a use for aquifer recharge shall not be considered.
- Section 1 was changed to remove the entire subsection exempting certain non-profit uses and entities from the payment of additional rent to the Bureau of Land Management for aquifer recharge.
- Section 1 was changed to replace a specific list of laws—the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act—with a general requirement to comply with all applicable Federal laws and policies of the Bureau.
- Section 1 was changed to update the subsection reference regarding the authority to construct, modify, or expand existing infrastructure from paragraph (3) to subsection (c)(3).
- Section 1 was changed to combine and alter the technical amendments that strike the word "Act" and insert "section" in subsections (a) and (c)(5).
Written by an AI model from a comparison of this version’s text with the one before it, not by a person. .
- 11/12/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 700.
- 9/30/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 4/2/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho