S.953

S. 953

March 11 (

legislative day

, March 10), 2025

Mr. Kelly (for himself and Mr. Gallego) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

A BILL

To provide for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents; 2. Purposes; 3. Definitions; 4. Ratification and execution of the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement; 5. Water Rights; 6. Allocation and assignment of Arizona Colorado River Water to the Tribes; water use; storage; water delivery contracts; 7. Colorado River Water leases and exchanges; Uses; 8. iiná bá – paa tuwaqat’si pipeline; 9. iiná bá – paa tuwaqat’si pipeline Implementation Fund Account; 10. Navajo Nation Water Settlement Trust Fund; 11. Hopi Tribe Water Settlement Trust Fund; 12. San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Water Settlement Trust Fund; 13. Funding; 14. Waivers, releases, and retention of claims; 15. Satisfaction of Water Rights and other benefits; 16. Enforceability Date; 17. Colorado River accounting; 18. Limited waiver of sovereign immunity; 19. Ratification of the Treaty and creation of the San Juan Southern Paiute Reservation; 20. Authorization for use of Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project facilities; 21. Antideficiency; savings provisions; effect