S. 3242: Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
This bill, titled the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
, aims to amend existing legislation related to water rights for the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico to help facilitate the implementation of a settlement agreement concerning their water resources. Here are the key points of what the bill would do:
1. Definitions and Terminology Updates
The bill updates various definitions in the existing Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. It introduces terms such as Mitigation Well System, which refers to a system designed to offset any water depletion effects, and clarifies the existing definitions of Pueblo Trust Funds.
2. Establishment of Trust Funds
It establishes three specific trust funds under the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement:
- Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund: Intended for water resource development projects.
- Taos Pueblo Groundwater Development Supplemental Trust Fund: Used for groundwater-related expenses, allowing for investment earnings.
- Taos Pueblo Surface Water Sharing Supplemental Trust Fund: Provides funding for surface water sharing infrastructure.
3. Use of Funds
The Pueblo can use the amounts in these funds to cover costs related to planning, designing, constructing, operating, or repairing water-related infrastructure. The funds can also be invested to generate earnings, which are then available for use within the guidelines of the bill.
4. Mutual-Benefit Projects
The bill outlines a framework for mutual-benefit projects, extending eligibility to certain non-Pueblo entities for funding to assist in developing water treatment and related projects. This section includes:
- Providing grants or financial assistance to assist in the construction of these projects.
- Setting clear deadlines for the use of allocated funds to ensure accountability and timely project completion.
5. Funding Provisions
The bill mandates specific appropriations from the U.S. Treasury for these trust funds and projects. It specifies amounts, adjusting for cost fluctuations, and includes provisions for a total of $161 million for mutual-benefit projects, $190 million for groundwater development, and $16 million for surface water sharing.
6. Conditions and Regulations
Conditions are established for fund expenditure, requiring compliance with various regulations. This includes stipulations on how non-compliance with project timelines can result in penalties, such as the termination of grants or requirements to return unspent funds.
7. Protection of Title to Property
It clarifies that property acquired or built with funding from this legislation will not belong to the Commissioner of Reclamation.
8. Disclaimers and Conditions Precedent
The bill includes disclaimers that ensure this legislation does not affect any previous agreements or findings related to the Taos Pueblo's water rights and status.
Relevant Companies
- NVDA (NVIDIA Corporation): May be involved in technology solutions related to water management systems.
- PCAR (PACCAR Inc.): Could be involved in manufacturing equipment for water infrastructure projects.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
2 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Nov. 20, 2025 | Introduced in Senate |
| Nov. 20, 2025 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. |
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