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S. 241 Senate Native Americans

Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

Introduced
Jan 24, 2025
Sponsor
Sen. Daines, Steve (R-MT)
View on Congress.gov

STAGE 2 OF 8 — COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

Currently in the Senate. Last action: committee on indian affairs. ordered to be reported without amendment favorably on Mar 5, 2025.

  1. Senate Introduced in Senate Jan 24, 2025
  2. Senate Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Jan 24, 2025
  3. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. Mar 5, 2025

Cosponsors

1

Subjects

Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationDams and canalsDepartment of the InteriorEconomic developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchExecutive agency funding and structureFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHistorical and cultural resourcesHunting and fishingIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsIntergovernmental relationsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservation

Committees

  • Indian Affairs Committee
    • [Markup By, Mar 5, 2025]
    • [Referred To, Jan 24, 2025]

Summary

Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes). The bill also authorizes wastewater infrastructure on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.

The bill requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for the benefit of the community and its allottees. The community must enact a tribal water code to regulate its water rights.

Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (as applicable) to enter negotiations with Montana to exchange certain state lands for federal lands to be held in trust for the benefit of the community. The bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.

The bill also

  • establishes the Aaniiih Nakoda Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill,
  • establishes the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Settlement Implementation Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill, and
  • provides funding for specified accounts established by the bill.

The bill also authorizes Interior to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain, and replace community water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

[Summary as of: Introduced in Senate]

Bill Text

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Related Bills

  • Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 (Identical bill)

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