H.R. 726: Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, seeks to amend the existing Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010. The primary objectives and changes introduced by the bill are as follows:

Definitions and Terminology Updates

The bill updates certain definitions within the original statute. Notably, it changes terms from "System" to "Projects" in relation to water management projects, reflecting a broader focus on specific projects rather than a system-wide approach.

Repeal of the MR&I System

The bill repeals a section of the 2010 Act that established the Monitoring, Reporting, and Improvement (MR&I) System for water rights. This reflects a shift towards a more project-specific management approach rather than a comprehensive system-wide oversight.

Crow Settlement Fund Management

Changes to the Crow Settlement Fund include:

• The fund will now be managed and invested by the Secretary of the Interior, and it is specified that the funds will remain available until they are either expended, withdrawn, or reverted to the general fund of the Treasury.
• Establishment of a new MR&I Projects Account intended for managing specific project funding, including water infrastructure for domestic and municipal use.
• Priority use of these funds is designated for planning, constructing, and maintaining water infrastructure, with stringent requirements to comply with environmental laws.

CIP Implementation Account

The bill establishes a new account known as the Crow CIP Implementation Account, which aims to facilitate the implementation of certain provisions of the water rights settlement. The funds in this account will be used to carry out specific projects aimed at improving water rights management.

Changes to Infrastructure and Funding Provisions

Amendments are made concerning the time frame for funding related to Yellowtail Dam in Montana, extending it from 15 to 20 years. Additional provisions relate to the adjustments for inflation in the funding amounts specified for the MR&I Projects Account.

Operational and Financial Responsibilities

It clarifies that the federal government will not be responsible for funding the operation, maintenance, or replacement of projects financed through the new MR&I Projects Account, placing these responsibilities on the Crow Tribe.

Technical Amendments

The bill includes various technical amendments for clarification and updating references within the 2010 Act, ensuring the language reflects current understanding and practices in water rights management.

Clerical Amendments

It updates the table of contents for the Claims Resolution Act to remove outdated references and better organize the sections relevant to the amendments made by this bill.

Relevant Companies

None found.