Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 429.
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, titled 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 establishes a settlement trust fund to provide the Tribe with financial resources for water infrastructure, planning, and development. Additionally, the legislation provides for the protection of the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary through the withdrawal and management of certain Federal lands. The bill also outlines the transfer of specific lands into trust for the benefit of the Tribe. Finally, it includes provisions for the ratification of a settlement agreement between the Tribe, the State, and other parties.
Yes· 3 of 22
- Scored +9
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill settles water rights, establishes a massive trust fund for infrastructure, and takes land into trust for the Zuni Tribe.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill protects the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary by withdrawing federal lands from various uses and resource extractions.
- Scored +6
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill funds water production, delivery, and irrigation infrastructure for the Zuni Tribe.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -2
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill imposes restrictions on new water wells and increases regulations on irrigation-related land use.
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill restricts certain land uses and resource extractions that could affect local businesses.
- Scored -1
Would high-income households be better off under this?
The withdrawal of lands may restrict certain high-value land uses and resource extraction.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Settlement of Water Rights: The bill seeks a fair, equitable, and final settlement of water rights claims for the Zuni 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 will not be subject to 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 the Tribe to fund essential water projects, such as installing groundwater wells, repairing irrigation infrastructure, and developing water production and delivery systems (Section 105).
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Protection of Natural and Cultural Resources: The bill withdraws and reserves Federal land to protect the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, including the quality and quantity of water resources and associated cultural values (Section 202).
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Land Acquisition for the Tribe: The legislation authorizes the Secretary to take certain lands into trust for the benefit of the Tribe (Section 204).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Waiver of Legal Claims: To achieve the settlement, the Tribe and the United States must execute waivers and releases 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 will be withdrawn from various forms of entry, appropriation, disposal, and mining/geothermal leasing (Section 202).
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Limitations on Activities near the Salt Lake: Management of the withdrawn land includes restrictions such as limiting motor vehicle use to designated routes, prohibiting new water wells, and prohibiting the sale or free use of timber (Section 203).
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Impact on Existing Rights: While the bill states that land taken into trust is subject to valid existing rights, existing holders of rights, contracts, or leases must request an earlier termination if they wish to follow different terms under the new trust arrangement (Section 204).
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, establishes a massive trust fund for infrastructure, and takes land into trust for the Zuni Tribe. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The water infrastructure improvements provide essential resources for tribal community welfare. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill invests in water infrastructure and community resources in rural New Mexico. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill focuses on tribal rights which supports broader equity goals. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill focuses on tribal rights which supports broader equity goals. Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill addresses regional water and land rights in the Southwest. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would men be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill provides stability through settled water rights which impacts regional resource management. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would students be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would women be better off under this? — The bill's infrastructure improvements support tribal community stability. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill imposes restrictions on new water wells and increases regulations on irrigation-related land use. Would high-income households be better off under this? — The withdrawal of lands may restrict certain high-value land uses and resource extraction. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The water rights settlement may impact existing water users and holders of rights in the region.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill protects the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary by withdrawing federal lands from various uses and resource extractions. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill funds water production, delivery, and irrigation infrastructure for the Zuni Tribe.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides significant financial resources through a settlement trust fund to support tribal infrastructure and economic development.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill restricts certain land uses and resource extractions that could affect local businesses.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to publish maps and legal descriptions in the Federal Register.
- 6/4/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-125.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 429.
- 3/5/2025
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 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.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico