S. 4890 · In committee · Native Americans

Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026

What it does

Establishes an Operations, Maintenance, Repair, and Ongoing Obligations Subaccount within the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund, funded with $45 million annually from October 1, 2026 through October 1, 2035.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to use subaccount funds for transfers to satisfy obligations under five named Indian water rights settlements: Ak-Chin, Colorado Ute, Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects, Snake River, and Hualapai.
Establishes a New and Continuing Settlements Subaccount within the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund, funded with $250 million annually from October 1, 2026 through October 1, 2035.
Grants the Secretary of the Interior discretion to determine the sequence, timing, and amounts of transfers from the New and Continuing Settlements Subaccount to satisfy any Indian water rights settlement approved by Congress.
Amends the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act to prohibit using Reclamation Water Settlements Fund amounts for payments authorized under that Act.

Jul 29, 2026: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

Committee: Senate Indian Affairs