Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
Sponsors:
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Status: Held at the desk.
(2025-12-15)
View Original Bill Text
Plain Language Summary
This bill makes changes to an earlier agreement about water rights for the Crow Tribe in Montana. Water rights are legal claims to use water from rivers and streams. The bill updates a settlement (an agreement to resolve disputes) that was made between the Crow Tribe and the federal government. The changes help the tribe manage their water resources and receive funding for water projects on their reservation.
Key Points
- Updates an existing water rights agreement between the Crow Tribe and the U.S. government
- Provides money for water projects like irrigation systems and drinking water on Crow tribal lands
- Helps settle long-standing disagreements about who can use water in Montana
Who This Affects
This bill mainly affects members of the Crow Tribe in Montana. It also affects other people who use water from the same rivers and streams in the area, including farmers and ranchers. The changes could impact how water is shared between the tribe and non-tribal water users.
Arguments For
- Honors the government's promises to Native American tribes about their rights to natural resources
- Provides funding to improve water systems on the reservation, which helps tribal members access clean water
Arguments Against
- Changes to water agreements can be expensive for taxpayers
- Other water users in Montana might worry about how changes affect their access to water
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact estimated
Summary generated by AI (claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929). For informational purposes only.
Always refer to the original bill text for legal accuracy.