Ask AI
Public Law117th CongressNative Americans
S. 4104Became Law

Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022

This bill became law

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary public law (Jan 5, 2023)

Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022

This act authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated between the tribe, the United States, Arizona, and others, thus satisfying the tribe's claims for groundwater and surface water rights to water in Arizona, including the Verde River, the Bill Williams River, and the Colorado River.

The act outlines the tribe's water rights, including the right to divert, use, and store 4,000 acre-feet of agricultural priority water of the Central Arizona Project that was previously allocated to nontribal agricultural entities, but retained by the Department of the Interior for reallocation to tribes in Arizona pursuant to the Central Arizona Project Settlement Act of 2004. Interior must reallocate this priority water to the tribe, firm through 2107 a specified amount of the water, and enter into a water delivery contract with the tribe.

The act directs Interior to establish the Hualapai Water Trust Fund Account. Amounts deposited in the trust fund account shall be made available to the tribe for specified purposes, including to construct the Hualapai Water Project. The project must be designed to divert, treat, and convey up to 3,414 acre-feet of water per year from the Colorado River for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses on the Hualapai Reservation.

Additionally, the act establishes in the Treasury the Hualapai Water Settlement Implementation Fund Account. Amounts in this account must be used to carry out groundwater monitoring and an estimate for groundwater withdrawals in the Truxton Basin outside the boundaries of the tribe's reservation.

The act adds certain land in Arizona to the tribe's reservation and also authorizes Interior to take specified land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. In the future, land located outside the reservation may only be taken into trust through an act of Congress.

The act outlines (1) waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement; and (2) a limited waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States and the tribe with respect to certain claims.

The act repeals the settlement agreement (except for provisions related to land added to the reservation and land taken into trust) if Interior does not publish by April 15, 2029, a statement of findings that specified conditions have been fulfilled (including that Interior has executed the required water delivery contract).

What just happenedJan 5, 2023

Became Public Law No: 117-349.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ](D-AZ)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 D
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors1committees30actions1amendments2related bills9subjects
  1. Jan 5, 2023President

    Became Public Law No: 117-349.

  2. Jan 5, 2023BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 117-349.

  3. Jan 5, 2023President

    Signed by President.

  4. Jan 5, 2023BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 28, 2022Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 28, 2022President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 22, 2022Floor

    By Senator Schatz from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 117-287.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  8. Dec 22, 2022Committee14900

    By Senator Schatz from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 117-287.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  9. Dec 22, 2022FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  10. Dec 22, 2022FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 55 (Roll no. 542). (text: 12/21/2022 CR H9942-9952)

  11. Dec 22, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 55 (Roll no. 542).(text: 12/21/2022 CR H9942-9952)

  12. Dec 22, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10033-10034)

  13. Dec 21, 2022FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  14. Dec 21, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4104.

  15. Dec 21, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9942-9952)

  16. Dec 21, 2022FloorH30300

    Mrs. Peltola moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  17. Dec 21, 2022FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  18. Dec 21, 2022FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  19. Dec 20, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  20. Dec 19, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S7315-7325)

  21. Dec 19, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S7315-7325)

  22. Dec 19, 2022Floor

    The committee amendments withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S7302)

  23. Dec 19, 2022Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7292-7302)

  24. Dec 19, 2022Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 684.

  25. Dec 19, 2022Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Schatz with amendments. Without written report.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  26. Dec 19, 2022Committee14000

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Schatz with amendments. Without written report.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  27. Nov 16, 2022Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  28. Jul 20, 2022Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-530.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  29. Apr 28, 2022IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  30. Apr 28, 2022IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawJan 5, 202349

Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022

This act authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated between the tribe, the United States, Arizona, and others, thus satisfying the tribe's claims for groundwater and surface water rights to water in Arizona, including the Verde River, the Bill Williams River, and the Colorado River.

The act outlines the tribe's water rights, including the right to divert, use, and store 4,000 acre-feet of agricultural priority water of the Central Arizona Project that was previously allocated to nontribal agricultural entities, but retained by the Department of the Interior for reallocation to tribes in Arizona pursuant to the Central Arizona Project Settlement Act of 2004. Interior must reallocate this priority water to the tribe, firm through 2107 a specified amount of the water, and enter into a water delivery contract with the tribe.

The act directs Interior to establish the Hualapai Water Trust Fund Account. Amounts deposited in the trust fund account shall be made available to the tribe for specified purposes, including to construct the Hualapai Water Project. The project must be designed to divert, treat, and convey up to 3,414 acre-feet of water per year from the Colorado River for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses on the Hualapai Reservation.

Additionally, the act establishes in the Treasury the Hualapai Water Settlement Implementation Fund Account. Amounts in this account must be used to carry out groundwater monitoring and an estimate for groundwater withdrawals in the Truxton Basin outside the boundaries of the tribe's reservation.

The act adds certain land in Arizona to the tribe's reservation and also authorizes Interior to take specified land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. In the future, land located outside the reservation may only be taken into trust through an act of Congress.

The act outlines (1) waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement; and (2) a limited waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States and the tribe with respect to certain claims.

The act repeals the settlement agreement (except for provisions related to land added to the reservation and land taken into trust) if Interior does not publish by April 15, 2029, a statement of findings that specified conditions have been fulfilled (including that Interior has executed the required water delivery contract).

Passed HouseDec 22, 202253

Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022

This bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated between the tribe, the United States, Arizona, and others, thus satisfying the tribe's claims for groundwater and surface water rights to water in Arizona, including the Verde River, the Bill Williams River, and the Colorado River.

The bill outlines the tribe's water rights, including the right to divert, use, and store 4,000 acre-feet of agricultural priority water of the Central Arizona Project that was previously allocated to nontribal agricultural entities, but retained by the Department of the Interior for reallocation to tribes in Arizona pursuant to the Central Arizona Project Settlement Act of 2004. Interior must reallocate this priority water to the tribe, firm through 2107 a specified amount of the water, and enter into a water delivery contract with the tribe.

The bill directs Interior to establish the Hualapai Water Trust Fund Account. Amounts deposited in the trust fund account shall be made available to the tribe for specified purposes, including to construct the Hualapai Water Project. The project must be designed to divert, treat, and convey up to 3,414 acre-feet of water per year from the Colorado River for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses on the Hualapai Reservation.

Additionally, the bill establishes in the Treasury the Hualapai Water Settlement Implementation Fund Account. Amounts in this account must be used to carry out groundwater monitoring and an estimate for groundwater withdrawals in the Truxton Basin outside the boundaries of the tribe's reservation.

The bill adds certain land in Arizona to the tribe's reservation and also authorizes Interior to take specified land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. In the future, land located outside the reservation may only be taken into trust through an act of Congress.

The bill outlines (1) waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement; and (2) a limited waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States and the tribe with respect to certain claims.

The bill repeals the settlement agreement (except for provisions related to land added to the reservation and land taken into trust) if Interior does not publish by April 15, 2029, a statement of findings that specified conditions have been fulfilled (including that Interior has executed the required water delivery contract).

Passed SenateDec 19, 202255

Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022

This bill modifies and ratifies the Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated between the tribe, the United States, Arizona, and others, thus satisfying the tribe's claims for groundwater and surface water rights to water in Arizona, including the Verde River, the Bill Williams River, and the Colorado River.

The bill outlines the tribe's water rights, including the right to divert, use, and store 4,000 acre-feet of agricultural priority water of the Central Arizona Project that was previously allocated to nontribal agricultural entities, but retained by the Department of the Interior for reallocation to tribes in Arizona pursuant to the Central Arizona Project Settlement Act of 2004.

Amounts deposited in an established trust fund account shall be made available to the tribe for specified purposes, including to construct the Hualapai Water Project. The project must be designed to divert, treat, and convey up to 3,414 acre-feet of water per year from the Colorado River for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses on the Hualapai Reservation.

The bill authorizes Interior to take specified land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. In the future, land located outside the reservation may only be taken into trust through an act of Congress.

The bill outlines (1) waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement; and (2) a limited waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States and the tribe with respect to certain claims.

Introduced in SenateApr 28, 2022

Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022

This bill modifies and ratifies the Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated between the tribe, the United States, Arizona, and others, thus satisfying the tribe's claims for groundwater and surface water rights to water in Arizona, including the Verde River, the Bill Williams River, and the Colorado River.

The bill outlines the tribe's water rights, including the right to divert, use, and store 4,000 acre-feet of agricultural priority water of the Central Arizona Project that was previously allocated to nontribal agricultural entities, but retained by the Department of the Interior for reallocation to tribes in Arizona pursuant to the Central Arizona Project Settlement Act of 2004.

Amounts deposited in an established trust fund account shall be made available to the tribe for specified purposes, including to construct the Hualapai Water Project. The project must be designed to divert, treat, and convey up to 3,414 acre-feet of water per year from the Colorado River for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses on the Hualapai Reservation.

The bill authorizes Interior to take specified land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. In the future, land located outside the reservation may only be taken into trust through an act of Congress.

The bill outlines (1) waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement; and (2) a limited waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States and the tribe with respect to certain claims.

Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2022 — Informed