H.R. 302 · On the floor · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Water Rights Protection Act

What it does

Prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning land use or occupancy agreements (permits, leases) on the transfer of water rights to the United States.
Prohibits Interior and USDA from requiring water users or Indian tribes to acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of obtaining or renewing land use or occupancy agreements.
Prohibits Interior and USDA from restricting the timing, quantity, location, or place of use of state water rights beyond limitations in state water law, or from modifying state groundwater withdrawal guidance and conser
Requires Interior and USDA to impose no greater restrictions than applicable state water law and to refrain from actions that adversely affect state authority over water permitting and water rights adjudication.

Official summary

Water Rights Protection Act of 2025 This bill limits the transfer of water rights from water users to the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA). First, the bill prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements (e.g., permits and leases) on the transfer of any water right to the United States. Next, it prohibits Interior and USDA from requiring water users, including Indian tribes, to acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of the issuance or renewal of a land use or occupancy agreement. Finally, it prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning or withholding the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements on (1) limiting the date, time, quantity, location of diversion or pumping, or place of use of a state water right beyond any applicable limitations under state water law; or (2) modifying the terms and conditions of groundwater withdrawal, guidance and reporting procedures, or conservation and source protection measures established by a state. Interior and USDA must also ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement…

Latest action

Nov 25, 2025: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 334.

Committee: House Agriculture