Water Rights Protection Act
Water Rights Protection Act
Plain Language Summary
# Water Rights Protection Act Summary **What It Would Do** The Water Rights Protection Act would restrict the federal government's ability to require water rights transfers as a condition for issuing or renewing permits and leases on federal lands. Specifically, it would prohibit the Departments of Interior and Agriculture from demanding that water users—including tribes, ranchers, farmers, and other stakeholders—transfer their water rights to the federal government in order to obtain or maintain land use agreements. The bill would also prevent these departments from imposing additional restrictions on how, when, where, or how much water users can divert or pump beyond what state water laws already require. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily impacts water users in western states who hold permits or leases on federal land, including farmers, ranchers, Native American tribes, and other businesses.
It also affects the federal agencies (Interior and Agriculture) that manage these agreements, and states that oversee their own water rights systems. Water conservation advocates might be concerned about its implications, while agricultural and property rights groups would likely support it. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Representative Celeste Maloy (R-UT) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Water Rights Protection Act of 2025This 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 than under applicable state water law.Further, Interior and USDA must not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights.
Latest Action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 334.