Ben Luján (D-NM)
Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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 Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026 amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to create two subaccounts within the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund. One subaccount focuses on operations, maintenance, repair, and ongoing obligations, while the other supports new and continuing settlements. These subaccounts will receive annual deposits from the Treasury through October 1, 2035. Additionally, the bill extends certain customs user fees until September 30, 2035.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +10
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Directly funds and settles critical water rights for multiple Native American tribes.
- Scored +8
Does this invest in rural communities?
Directly funds water infrastructure in rural tribal areas, such as the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects.
- Scored +7
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Directly benefits rural infrastructure and water access in tribal regions.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill increases federal spending by establishing two new subaccounts for water rights settlements.
- Scored -3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill creates long-term spending commitments and extends user fees.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill mandates annual Treasury deposits totaling $295 million through 2035, increasing government spending.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Specific Tribal Water Rights: The bill provides funding to satisfy U.S. obligations for the Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Animas-La Plata Project (Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988), the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, the Snake River Water Rights Act of 2004, and the Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022. This ensures funds are available for water delivery and maintenance (Section 2(a)(e)(3)).
-
Funding for New and Future Settlements: The establishment of the New and Continuing Settlements Subaccount allows the Secretary of the Interior to transfer funds to satisfy obligations under any Indian water rights settlement approved by Congress (Section 2(a)(f)(3)).
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Expedited Completion of Settlements: The Secretary of the Interior is given the discretion to determine the timing and sequence of transfers to complete eligible water rights settlements as quickly as possible (Section 2(a)(f)(4)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Extended Customs User Fees: The bill extends the duration of customs user fees from December 31, 2031, to September 30, 2035, which may continue a financial burden on those paying these fees (Section 3).
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? — Directly funds and settles critical water rights for multiple Native American tribes. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Directly benefits rural infrastructure and water access in tribal regions. Would farmers be better off under this? — Stabilizes water rights and delivery for agricultural use in tribal areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improves essential water infrastructure for low-income tribal communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Extension of customs user fees may increase costs for some business owners importing goods.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Directly funds water infrastructure in rural tribal areas, such as the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Settles and manages water rights on public and tribal lands. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Provides funding for the maintenance and repair of water delivery systems.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill increases federal spending by establishing two new subaccounts for water rights settlements. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill creates long-term spending commitments and extends user fees. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill mandates annual Treasury deposits totaling $295 million through 2035, increasing government spending.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill ensures the fulfillment of federal obligations to Native American tribes regarding water rights. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Ensuring water rights and infrastructure for tribal communities can support economic stability and resource access.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Extending customs user fees may slightly increase costs for importers/exporters.
- 6/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 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.
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico