I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8951 
To approve the settlement of water rights claims of the Zuni Indian Tribe 
in the Zuni River Stream System in the State of New Mexico, to 
protect the Zuni Salt Lake, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 8, 2024 
Mr. VASQUEZ (for himself, Ms. STANSBURY, and Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ) in-
troduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Nat-
ural Resources 
A BILL 
To approve the settlement of water rights claims of the 
Zuni Indian Tribe in the Zuni River Stream System 
in the State of New Mexico, to protect the Zuni Salt 
Lake, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 
2024’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—ZUNI INDIAN TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT 
Sec. 101. Purposes. 
Sec. 102. Definitions. 
Sec. 103. Ratification of Agreement. 
Sec. 104. Tribal Water Rights. 
Sec. 105. Settlement Trust Fund. 
Sec. 106. Funding. 
Sec. 107. Waivers and releases of claims. 
Sec. 108. Satisfaction of claims. 
Sec. 109. Enforceability date. 
Sec. 110. Miscellaneous provisions. 
Sec. 111. Relation to Allottees. 
Sec. 112. Antideficiency. 
TITLE II—ZUNI SALT LAKE AND SANCTUARY PROTECTION 
Sec. 201. Definitions. 
Sec. 202. Withdrawal of certain Federal land in New Mexico. 
Sec. 203. Management of Federal land. 
Sec. 204. Transfer of land into trust. 
Sec. 205. Maps and legal descriptions. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ENFORCEABILITY DATE.—The term ‘‘En-
forceability Date’’ means the date described in sec-
tion 109. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of New Mexico. 
(4) TRIBAL WATER RIGHTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Tribal 
Water Rights’’ means the water rights of the 
Tribe in the Zuni River Stream System (as de-
fined in section 102)— 
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(i) as identified in the Agreement and 
section 104; and 
(ii) as confirmed in the Partial Final 
Judgment and Decree (as defined in sec-
tion 102). 
(B) 
EXCLUSIONS.—The 
term 
‘‘Tribal 
Water Rights’’ does not include— 
(i) any interest that the Tribe may 
have in an Allotment (as defined in section 
102) that is determined by the Secretary 
to be patented pursuant to the first section 
of the Act of February 8, 1887 (commonly 
known as the ‘‘Indian General Allotment 
Act’’) (24 Stat. 388, chapter 119; 25 
U.S.C. 331) (as in effect on the day before 
the date of enactment of the Indian Land 
Consolidation Act Amendments of 2000 
(Public Law 106–462; 114 Stat. 1991)); 
or 
(ii) any undivided interest that the 
Tribe may have in an Allotment (as so de-
fined) that is determined by the Secretary 
to be patented pursuant to an authority 
other than the first section of the Act of 
February 8, 1887 (commonly known as the 
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‘‘Indian General Allotment Act’’) (24 Stat. 
388, chapter 119; 25 U.S.C. 331) (as in 
effect on the day before the date of enact-
ment of the Indian Land Consolidation Act 
Amendments of 2000 (Public Law 106– 
462; 114 Stat. 1991)). 
(5) TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Tribe’’ means the Zuni 
Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, a federally recognized 
Indian Tribe. 
TITLE I—ZUNI INDIAN TRIBE 
WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT 
SEC. 101. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this title are— 
(1) to achieve a fair, equitable, and final settle-
ment of all claims to water rights in the Zuni River 
Stream System in the State for— 
(A) the Tribe; and 
(B) the United States, acting as trustee 
for the Tribe; 
(2) to authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agree-
ment entered into by the Tribe, the State, and var-
ious other parties to the extent that the Agreement 
is consistent with this title; 
(3) to authorize and direct the Secretary— 
(A) to execute the Agreement; and 
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means a final or interlocutory partial final judgment 
and decree entered by the United States District 
Court for the District of New Mexico with respect 
to the water rights of the Tribe— 
(A) that is substantially in the form de-
scribed in the Agreement, as amended to ensure 
consistency with this title; and 
(B) from which no further appeal may be 
taken. 
(6) TRUST
FUND.—The term ‘‘Trust Fund’’ 
means the Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund estab-
lished under section 105(a). 
(7) ZUNI
LANDS.—The term ‘‘Zuni Lands’’ 
means land within the State that is held in trust by 
the United States for the Tribe, or owned by the 
Tribe, at the time of filing of a Motion for Entry of 
the Partial Final Judgment and Decree, including 
the land withdrawn from sale and set apart as a res-
ervation or in trust for the use and occupancy of the 
Tribe by— 
(A) Executive order of March 16, 1877 
(relating to Zuni Pueblo reserve), as amended 
by Executive order of May 1, 1883 (relating to 
Zuni Reserve); 
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(B) Presidential Proclamation 1412, dated 
November 30, 1917; 
(C) the Act of June 20, 1935 (49 Stat. 
393, chapter 282); 
(D) the Act of August 13, 1949 (63 Stat. 
604, chapter 425); and 
(E) the Warranty Deed recorded on July 
16, 1997, in Book 6, Page 5885 of the Cibola 
County Records. 
(8) ZUNI RIVER STREAM SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘Zuni River Stream System’’ means the Zuni River 
surface water drainage basin identified in the order 
of the United States District Court for the District 
of New Mexico in the Adjudication entitled ‘‘Order 
on Special Master’s Report re: Geographic Scope of 
Adjudication, Docket 200’’ and dated May 21, 2003. 
SEC. 103. RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT. 
(a) RATIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as modified by this 
title, and to the extent that the Agreement does not 
conflict with this title, the Agreement is authorized, 
ratified, and confirmed. 
(2) AMENDMENTS.—If an amendment to the 
Agreement, or to any attachment to the Agreement 
requiring the signature of the Secretary, is executed 
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in accordance with this title to make the Agreement 
consistent with this title, the amendment is author-
ized, ratified, and confirmed. 
(b) EXECUTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent the Agreement 
does not conflict with this title, the Secretary shall 
execute the Agreement, including all attachments to 
or parts of the Agreement, requiring the signature 
of the Secretary. 
(2) MODIFICATIONS.—Nothing in this title pro-
hibits the Secretary, after execution of the Agree-
ment, from approving any modification to the Agree-
ment, including an attachment to the Agreement, 
that is consistent with this title, to the extent that 
the modification does not otherwise require congres-
sional approval under section 2116 of the Revised 
Statutes (25 U.S.C. 177) or any other applicable 
Federal law. 
(c) ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In implementing the Agree-
ment and this title, the Secretary shall comply 
with— 
(A) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
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(B) the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), including the 
implementing regulations of that Act; and 
(C) all other applicable Federal environ-
mental laws and regulations. 
(2) COMPLIANCE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—In implementing the 
Agreement and this title, the Tribe shall pre-
pare any necessary environmental documents, 
consistent with— 
(i) the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
(ii) the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), in-
cluding the implementing regulations of 
that Act; and 
(iii) all other applicable Federal envi-
ronmental laws and regulations. 
(B) 
AUTHORIZATIONS.—The 
Secretary 
shall— 
(i) independently evaluate the docu-
mentation required under subparagraph 
(A); and 
(ii) be responsible for the accuracy, 
scope, and contents of that documentation. 
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(3) EFFECT OF EXECUTION.—The execution of 
the Agreement by the Secretary under this section 
shall not constitute a major Federal action under 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(4) COSTS.—Any costs associated with the per-
formance of the compliance activities under this sub-
section shall be paid from funds deposited in the 
Trust Fund, subject to the condition that any costs 
associated with the performance of Federal approval 
or other review of such compliance work or costs as-
sociated with inherently Federal functions shall re-
main the responsibility of the Secretary. 
SEC. 104. TRIBAL WATER RIGHTS. 
(a) TRUST
STATUS
OF
THE
TRIBAL
WATER 
RIGHTS.—The Tribal Water Rights shall be held in trust 
by the United States on behalf of the Tribe, in accordance 
with the Agreement and this title. 
(b) FORFEITURE AND ABANDONMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Tribal Water Rights 
shall not be subject to loss through non-use, for-
feiture, abandonment, or other operation of law. 
(2) STATE-LAW BASED WATER RIGHTS.—State- 
law based water rights acquired by the Tribe, or by 
the United States on behalf of the Tribe, after the 
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date for inclusion in the Partial Final Judgment and 
Decree shall not be subject to forfeiture, abandon-
ment, or permanent alienation from the time those 
water rights are acquired. 
(c) USE.—Any use of the Tribal Water Rights shall 
be subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement 
and this title. 
(d) ALLOTMENT
RIGHTS
NOT
INCLUDED.—The 
Tribal Water Rights do not include any water rights for 
an Allotment. 
(e) ALLOTTEES
NOT
ADVERSELY
AFFECTED.— 
Nothing in this title quantifies or diminishes any water 
right, or any claim or entitlement to water, of an Allottee. 
(f) ACCOUNTING FOR ALLOTMENT USES.—Any use 
of water on an Allotment shall be accounted for out of 
the Tribal Water Rights recognized in the Agreement, in-
cluding recognition of— 
(1) any water use existing on an Allotment as 
of the date of enactment of this Act; 
(2) reasonable domestic, stock, and irrigation 
water uses put into use on an Allotment; and 
(3) any water right decreed to the United 
States in trust for an Allottee in the Adjudication, 
for use on an Allotment. 
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(g) ALLOTTEE WATER RIGHTS.—The Tribe shall not 
object in the Adjudication to the quantification of reason-
able domestic, stock, and irrigation water uses on an Allot-
ment, and shall administer any water use on Zuni Lands 
in accordance with applicable Federal law, including rec-
ognition of— 
(1) any water use existing on an Allotment as 
of the date of enactment of this Act; 
(2) reasonable domestic, stock, and irrigation 
water uses on an Allotment; and 
(3) any water right decreed to the United 
States in trust for an Allottee in the Adjudication. 
(h) AUTHORITY OF THE TRIBE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Tribe shall have the au-
thority to allocate, distribute, and lease the Tribal 
Water Rights for use on Zuni Lands in accordance 
with the Agreement, this title, and applicable Fed-
eral law, including the first section of the Act of Au-
gust 9, 1955 (69 Stat. 539, chapter 615; 25 U.S.C. 
415) (commonly known as the ‘‘Long-Term Leasing 
Act’’). 
(2) USE OFF ZUNI LANDS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Tribe may allo-
cate, distribute, and lease the Tribal Water 
Rights for use off Zuni Lands in accordance 
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with the Agreement, this title, and applicable 
Federal law, subject to the approval of the Sec-
retary. 
(B) 
MAXIMUM
TERM.—The 
maximum 
term of any lease, including all renewals, under 
this paragraph shall not exceed 99 years. 
(i) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) NO ALIENATION.—The Tribe shall not per-
manently alienate any portion of the Tribal Water 
Rights. 
(2) PURCHASES OR GRANTS OF LAND FROM IN-
DIANS.—An authorization provided by this title for 
the allocation, distribution, leasing, or other ar-
rangement entered into pursuant to this title shall 
be considered to satisfy any requirement for author-
ization of the action required by Federal law. 
(3) PROHIBITION ON FORFEITURE.—The non- 
use of all or any portion of the Tribal Water Rights 
by any water user shall not result in the forfeiture, 
abandonment, relinquishment, or other loss of all or 
any portion of the Tribal Water Rights. 
SEC. 105. SETTLEMENT TRUST FUND. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 
a trust fund, to be known as the ‘‘Zuni Tribe Settlement 
Trust Fund’’, to be managed, invested, and distributed by 
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the Secretary and to remain available until expended, 
withdrawn, or reverted to the general fund of the Treas-
ury, consisting of amounts deposited in the Trust Fund 
under subsection (c), together with any investment earn-
ings, including interest, earned on those amounts, for the 
purpose of carrying out this title. 
(b) TRUST FUND ACCOUNTS.—The Secretary shall 
establish in the Trust Fund the following accounts: 
(1) The Zuni Tribe Water Rights Settlement 
Trust Account. 
(2) The Zuni Tribe Operation, Maintenance, & 
Replacement Trust Account. 
(c) DEPOSITS.—The Secretary shall deposit in the 
Trust Fund the amounts made available under section 
106(a). 
(d) MANAGEMENT AND INTEREST.— 
(1) MANAGEMENT.—On receipt and deposit of 
funds into the Trust Fund under subsection (c), the 
Secretary shall manage, invest, and distribute all 
amounts in the Trust Fund in a manner that is con-
sistent with the investment authority of the Sec-
retary under— 
(A) the first section of the Act of June 24, 
1938 (25 U.S.C. 162a); 
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(B) the American Indian Trust Fund Man-
agement Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 
et seq.); and 
(C) this section. 
(2) INVESTMENT
EARNINGS.—In addition to 
the amounts deposited under subsection (c), any in-
vestment earnings, including interest, earned on 
those amounts, held in the Trust Fund are author-
ized to be used in accordance with subsections (f) 
and (h). 
(e) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Amounts appropriated to, 
and deposited in, the Trust Fund, including any in-
vestment earnings, including interest, earned on 
those amounts, shall be made available to the Tribe 
by the Secretary beginning on the Enforceability 
Date, subject to the requirements of this section, ex-
cept for funds to be made available to the Tribe pur-
suant to paragraph (2). 
(2) USE
OF
FUNDS.—Notwithstanding para-
graph (1), $50,000,000 of the amounts deposited in 
the Trust Fund, including any investment earnings, 
including interest, earned on those amounts, shall be 
available to the Tribe for the following uses on the 
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date on which the amounts are deposited in the 
Trust Fund: 
(A) Developing economic water develop-
ment plans. 
(B) Preparing environmental compliance 
documents. 
(C) Preparing water project engineering 
designs. 
(D) Establishing and operating a water re-
source department. 
(E) Installing groundwater wells on Zuni 
Lands to meet immediate domestic, commercial, 
municipal, industrial, livestock, or supplemental 
irrigation water needs. 
(F) Urgent repairs to irrigation infrastruc-
ture. 
(G) Acquiring land and water rights or 
water supply. 
(H) Developing water measurement and 
reporting water use plans. 
(f) WITHDRAWALS.— 
(1) WITHDRAWALS UNDER THE AMERICAN IN-
DIAN TRUST FUND MANAGEMENT REFORM ACT OF 
1994.— 
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(A) IN GENERAL.—The Tribe may with-
draw any portion of the amounts in the Trust 
Fund on approval by the Secretary of a Tribal 
management plan submitted by the Tribe in ac-
cordance with the American Indian Trust Fund 
Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 
4001 et seq.). 
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—In addition to the 
requirements under the American Indian Trust 
Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 
U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Tribal management 
plan under this paragraph shall require that the 
Tribe shall spend all amounts withdrawn from 
the Trust Fund, and any investment earnings, 
including interest, earned on those amounts, 
through the investments under the Tribal man-
agement plan, in accordance with this title. 
(C) ENFORCEMENT.—The Secretary may 
carry out such judicial and administrative ac-
tions as the Secretary determines to be nec-
essary to enforce the Tribal management plan 
under this paragraph and to ensure that 
amounts withdrawn by the Tribe from the 
Trust Fund under subparagraph (A) are used 
in accordance with this title. 
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(2) 
WITHDRAWALS
UNDER
EXPENDITURE 
PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Tribe may submit 
to the Secretary a request to withdraw amounts 
from the Trust Fund pursuant to an approved 
expenditure plan. 
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—To be eligible to 
withdraw amounts under an expenditure plan 
under subparagraph (A), the Tribe shall submit 
to the Secretary an expenditure plan for any 
portion of the Trust Fund the Tribe elects to 
withdraw pursuant to that subparagraph, sub-
ject to the condition that the amounts shall be 
used for the purposes described in this title. 
(C) INCLUSIONS.—An expenditure plan 
submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include 
a description of the manner and purpose for 
which the amounts proposed to be withdrawn 
from the Trust Fund will be used by the Tribe, 
in accordance with this subsection and sub-
section (h). 
(D) APPROVAL.—The Secretary shall ap-
prove an expenditure plan submitted under sub-
paragraph (A) if the Secretary determines that 
the expenditure plan— 
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(i) is reasonable; and 
(ii) is consistent with, and will be used 
for, the purposes of this title. 
(E) ENFORCEMENT.—The Secretary may 
carry out such judicial and administrative ac-
tions as the Secretary determines to be nec-
essary— 
(i) to enforce an expenditure plan; 
and 
(ii) to ensure that amounts withdrawn 
under this paragraph are used in accord-
ance with this title. 
(g) EFFECT OF SECTION.—Nothing in this section 
entitles the Tribe the right to judicial review of a deter-
mination of the Secretary relating to whether to approve 
a Tribal management plan under paragraph (1) of sub-
section (f) or an expenditure plan under paragraph (2) 
of that subsection, except under subchapter II of chapter 
5, and chapter 7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly 
known as the ‘‘Administrative Procedure Act’’). 
(h) USES.— 
(1) ZUNI TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT 
TRUST
ACCOUNT.—The Zuni Tribe Water Rights 
Settlement Trust Account established under sub-
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section (b)(1) may only be used for the following 
purposes: 
(A) Planning, permitting, designing, engi-
neering, constructing, reconstructing, replacing, 
rehabilitating, operating, or repairing water 
production, treatment, or delivery infrastruc-
ture, including for domestic and municipal sup-
ply, or wastewater infrastructure. 
(B) Planning, permitting, designing, engi-
neering, constructing, reconstructing, replacing, 
rehabilitating, operating, or repairing water 
production, treatment, or delivery infrastruc-
ture, acquisition of water, or on-farm improve-
ments for irrigation, livestock, and support of 
agriculture. 
(C) Planning, permitting, designing, engi-
neering, constructing, reconstructing, replacing, 
rehabilitating, operating, monitoring, or other 
measures for watershed and endangered species 
habitat protection and enhancement, land and 
water rights acquisition, water-related Tribal 
community welfare and economic development, 
and costs relating to the implementation of the 
Agreement. 
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(D) Ensuring environmental compliance in 
the development and construction of projects 
under this title. 
(E) Tribal water rights management and 
administration. 
(2) ZUNI TRIBE OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, & 
REPLACEMENT TRUST ACCOUNT.—The Zuni Tribe 
Operation, Maintenance, & Replacement Trust Ac-
count established under subsection (b)(2) may only 
be used to pay costs for operation, maintenance, and 
replacement of water infrastructure to serve Tribal 
domestic, commercial, municipal, industrial, irriga-
tion, and livestock water uses from any water 
source. 
(i) LIABILITY.—The Secretary and the Secretary of 
the Treasury shall not be liable for the expenditure or in-
vestment of any amounts withdrawn from the Trust Fund 
by the Tribe under a Tribal management plan or an ex-
penditure plan under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection 
(f), respectively. 
(j) EXPENDITURE REPORTS.—The Tribe shall annu-
ally submit to the Secretary an expenditure report describ-
ing amounts spent from, and accomplishment from the use 
of, withdrawals under a Tribal management plan or an 
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expenditure plan under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection 
(f), respectively. 
(k) NO PER CAPITA DISTRIBUTIONS.—No portion of 
the Trust Fund shall be distributed on a per capita basis 
to any member of the Tribe. 
(l) TITLE TO INFRASTRUCTURE.—Title to, control 
over, and operation of any project constructed using funds 
from the Trust Fund shall remain in the Tribe. 
(m) OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPLACE-
MENT.—All operation, maintenance, and replacement 
costs of any project constructed using funds from the 
Trust Fund shall be the responsibility of the Tribe. 
SEC. 106. FUNDING. 
(a) MANDATORY
APPROPRIATIONS.—Out of any 
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the 
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Sec-
retary— 
(1) for deposit in the Zuni Tribe Water Rights 
Settlement Trust Account established under section 
105(b)(1), $655,500,000, to remain available until 
expended, withdrawn, or reverted to the general 
fund of the Treasury; and 
(2) for deposit in the Zuni Tribe Operation, 
Maintenance, & Replacement Trust Account estab-
lished under section 105(b)(2), $29,500,000, to re-
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main available until expended, withdrawn, or re-
verted to the general fund of the Treasury. 
(b) FLUCTUATION IN COSTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The amount appropriated 
under subsection (a) shall be increased or decreased, 
as appropriate, by such amounts as may be justified 
by reason of ordinary fluctuations in costs, as indi-
cated by the Bureau of Reclamation Construction 
Cost Index–Composite Trend. 
(2) CONSTRUCTION COSTS ADJUSTMENT.—The 
amount appropriated under subsection (a) shall be 
adjusted to address construction cost changes nec-
essary to account for unforeseen market volatility 
that may not otherwise be captured by engineering 
cost indices, as determined by the Secretary, includ-
ing repricing applicable to the types of construction 
and current industry standards involved. 
(3) REPETITION.—The adjustment process 
under this subsection shall be repeated for each sub-
sequent amount appropriated until the applicable 
amount, as adjusted, has been appropriated. 
(4) PERIOD OF INDEXING.—The period of in-
dexing adjustment under this subsection for any in-
crement of funding shall start on January 1, 2022, 
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and end on the date on which the funds are depos-
ited in the Trust Fund. 
(c) STATE COST-SHARE.—Pursuant to the Agree-
ment, the State shall contribute— 
(1) $750,000, for development and execution of 
monitoring plans pursuant to the Agreement; and 
(2) $500,000, to be deposited in an interest- 
bearing account, to mitigate impairment to non-In-
dian domestic and livestock groundwater rights as a 
result of new Tribal water use. 
SEC. 107. WAIVERS AND RELEASES OF CLAIMS. 
(a) WAIVERS AND RELEASES OF CLAIMS BY ZUNI 
TRIBE
AND UNITED STATES
AS TRUSTEE
FOR ZUNI 
TRIBE.—Subject to the reservation of rights and retention 
of claims under subsection (d), as consideration for rec-
ognition of the Tribal Water Rights and other benefits de-
scribed in the Agreement and this title, the Tribe and the 
United States, acting as trustee for the Tribe, shall exe-
cute a waiver and release of all claims for— 
(1) water rights within the Zuni River Stream 
System that the Tribe, or the United States acting 
as trustee for the Tribe, asserted or could have as-
serted in any proceeding, including the Adjudication, 
on or before the Enforceability Date, except to the 
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extent that such rights are recognized in the Agree-
ment and this title; and 
(2) damages, losses, or injuries to water rights 
or claims of interference with, diversion of, or taking 
of water rights (including claims for injury to land 
resulting from such damages, losses, injuries, inter-
ference, diversion, or taking of water rights) in the 
Zuni River Stream System against any party to the 
Agreement that accrued at any time up to and in-
cluding the Enforceability Date. 
(b) WAIVERS AND RELEASES OF CLAIMS BY ZUNI 
TRIBE AGAINST UNITED STATES.—Subject to the res-
ervation of rights and retention of claims under subsection 
(d), the Tribe shall execute a waiver and release of all 
claims against the United States (including any agency 
or employee of the United States) for water rights within 
the Zuni River Stream System first arising before the En-
forceability Date relating to— 
(1) water rights within the Zuni River Stream 
System that the United States, acting as trustee for 
the Tribe, asserted or could have asserted in any 
proceeding, including the Adjudication, except to the 
extent that such rights are recognized as part of the 
Tribal Water Rights under this title; 
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(6) a failure to provide for operation, mainte-
nance, or deferred maintenance for any irrigation 
system or irrigation project within the Zuni River 
Stream System; 
(7) a failure to provide a dam safety improve-
ment to a dam on Zuni Lands within the Zuni River 
Stream System; 
(8) the litigation of claims relating to any water 
right of the Tribe within the Zuni River Stream Sys-
tem; and 
(9) the negotiation, execution, or adoption of 
the Agreement and this title. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The waivers and releases de-
scribed in subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on the 
Enforceability Date. 
(d) RESERVATION OF RIGHTS AND RETENTION OF 
CLAIMS.—Notwithstanding the waivers and releases under 
subsections (a) and (b), the Tribe and the United States, 
acting as trustee for the Tribe, shall retain all claims relat-
ing to— 
(1) the enforcement of, or claims accruing after 
the Enforceability Date relating to, water rights rec-
ognized under the Agreement, this title, or the Par-
tial Final Judgment and Decree entered into in the 
Adjudication; 
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(2) activities affecting the quality of water, in-
cluding claims under— 
(A) the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), including claims 
for damages to natural resources; 
(B) the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300f et seq.); 
(C) the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); and 
(D) any regulations implementing the Acts 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (C); 
(3) the right to use and protect water rights ac-
quired after the date of enactment of this Act; 
(4) damage, loss, or injury to land or natural 
resources that is not due to loss of water or water 
rights, including hunting, fishing, gathering, or cul-
tural rights; 
(5) all rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, 
and powers not specifically waived and released pur-
suant to this title or the Agreement; and 
(6) loss of water or water rights in locations 
outside of the Zuni River Stream System. 
(e) EFFECT OF AGREEMENT AND TITLE.—Nothing 
in the Agreement or this title— 
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(1) reduces or extends the sovereignty (includ-
ing civil and criminal jurisdiction) of any govern-
ment entity; 
(2) affects the ability of the United States, as 
sovereign, to carry out any activity authorized by 
law, including— 
(A) the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.); 
(B) the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300f et seq.); 
(C) the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); 
(D) the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 
U.S.C. 6901 et seq.); and 
(E) any regulations implementing the Acts 
described in subparagraphs (A) though (D); 
(3) affects the ability of the United States to 
act as trustee for the Tribe (consistent with this 
title), any other Indian Tribe or Pueblo, or an allot-
tee of any Indian Tribe or Pueblo; 
(4) confers jurisdiction on any State court— 
(A) to interpret Federal law relating to 
health, safety, or the environment; 
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(B) to determine the duties of the United 
States or any other party under Federal law re-
garding health, safety, or the environment; 
(C) to conduct judicial review of any Fed-
eral agency action; or 
(D) to interpret Tribal law; or 
(5) waives any claim of a member of the Tribe 
in an individual capacity that does not derive from 
a right of the Tribe. 
(f) TOLLING OF CLAIMS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each applicable period of 
limitation and time-based equitable defense relating 
to a claim described in this section shall be tolled for 
the period beginning on the date of enactment of 
this Act and ending on the Enforceability Date. 
(2) EFFECT OF SUBSECTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection revives any claim or tolls any period of 
limitation or time-based equitable defense that ex-
pired before the date of enactment of this Act. 
(3) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this section pre-
cludes the tolling of any period of limitation or any 
time-based equitable defense under any other appli-
cable law. 
(g) EXPIRATION.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—This title shall expire in any 
case in which the Secretary fails to publish a state-
ment of findings under section 109 by not later 
than— 
(A) July 1, 2030; or 
(B) such alternative later date as is agreed 
to by the Tribe and the Secretary, after pro-
viding reasonable notice to the State. 
(2) CONSEQUENCES.—If this title expires under 
paragraph (1)— 
(A) the waivers and releases under sub-
sections (a) and (b) shall— 
(i) expire; and 
(ii) have no further force or effect; 
(B) the authorization, ratification, con-
firmation, and execution of the Agreement 
under section 103 shall no longer be effective; 
(C) any action carried out by the Sec-
retary, and any contract or agreement entered 
into, pursuant to this title shall be void; 
(D) any unexpended Federal funds appro-
priated or made available to carry out the ac-
tivities authorized by this title (together with 
any interest earned on those funds), and any 
water rights or contracts to use water, and title 
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to any property acquired or constructed with 
Federal funds appropriated or made available 
to carry out the activities authorized by this 
title shall be returned to the Federal Govern-
ment, unless otherwise agreed to by the Tribe 
and the United States and approved by Con-
gress; and 
(E) except for Federal funds used to ac-
quire or construct property that is returned to 
the Federal Government under subparagraph 
(D), the United States shall be entitled to offset 
any Federal funds made available to carry out 
this title that were expended or withdrawn, or 
any funds made available to carry out this title 
from other Federal authorized sources, together 
with any interest accrued on those funds, 
against any claims against the United States— 
(i) relating to— 
(I) water rights in the State as-
serted by— 
(aa) the Tribe; or 
(bb) any user of the Tribal 
Water Rights; or 
(II) any other matter described 
in subsection (b); or 
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(ii) in any future settlement of water 
rights of the Tribe. 
SEC. 108. SATISFACTION OF CLAIMS. 
The benefits provided under this title shall be in com-
plete replacement of, complete substitution for, and full 
satisfaction of any claim of the Tribe against the United 
States that is waived and released by the Tribe pursuant 
to section 107(b). 
SEC. 109. ENFORCEABILITY DATE. 
The Enforceability Date shall be the date on which 
the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register a state-
ment of findings that— 
(1) to the extent that the Agreement conflicts 
with this title, the Agreement has been amended to 
conform with this title; 
(2) the Agreement, as amended, has been exe-
cuted by all parties to the Agreement, including the 
United States; 
(3) the United States District Court for the 
District of New Mexico has approved the Agreement 
and has entered a Partial Final Judgment and De-
cree; 
(4) all of the amounts appropriated under sub-
sections (a) and (b) of section 106 have been appro-
priated and deposited in the Zuni Tribe Water 
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Rights Settlement Trust Account established under 
section 105(b)(1) or the Zuni Tribe Operation, 
Maintenance, & Replacement Trust Account estab-
lished under section 105(b)(2), as applicable; 
(5) the State has— 
(A) provided the funding under section 
106(c); and 
(B) enacted legislation to amend State law 
to provide that the Tribal Water Rights may be 
leased for a term of not to exceed 99 years, in-
cluding renewals; and 
(6) the waivers and releases under section 107 
have been executed by the Tribe and the Secretary. 
SEC. 110. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 
(a) NO WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY BY THE 
UNITED STATES.—Nothing in this title waives the sov-
ereign immunity of the United States. 
(b) OTHER TRIBES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED.— 
Nothing in this title quantifies or diminishes any land or 
water right, or any claim or entitlement to land or water, 
of an Indian Tribe, band, Pueblo, or community other 
than the Tribe. 
(c) EFFECT ON CURRENT LAW.—Nothing in this 
title affects any provision of law (including regulations) 
in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this 
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Act with respect to pre-enforcement review of any Federal 
environmental enforcement action. 
(d) CONFLICT.—In the event of a conflict between 
the Agreement and this title, this title shall control. 
SEC. 111. RELATION TO ALLOTTEES. 
(a) NO EFFECT ON CLAIMS OF ALLOTTEES.—Noth-
ing in this Act or the Agreement affects the rights or 
claims of Allottees, or the United States, acting in its ca-
pacity as trustee for or on behalf of Allottees, for water 
rights or damages relating to land allotted by the United 
States to Allottees. 
(b) RELATIONSHIP OF DECREE TO ALLOTTEES.— 
(1) SEPARATE ADJUDICATION.—Regardless of 
whether an Allotment is patented pursuant to the 
first section of the Act of February 8, 1887 (com-
monly known as the ‘‘Indian General Allotment 
Act’’) (24 Stat. 388, chapter 119; 25 U.S.C. 331) 
(as in effect on the day before the date of enactment 
of the Indian Land Consolidation Act Amendments 
of 2000 (Public Law 106–462; 114 Stat. 1991)), or 
section 4 of that Act (24 Stat. 389, chapter 119; 25 
U.S.C. 334), as determined by the Secretary, when 
adjudicated— 
(A) water rights for Allotments shall be 
separate from the Tribal Water Rights; and 
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(B) no water rights for Allotments shall be 
included in the Partial Final Judgment and De-
cree. 
(2) ALLOTMENT
WATER
RIGHTS.—Allotment 
water rights adjudicated separately pursuant to 
paragraph (1) shall not be subject to the restrictions 
or conditions that apply to the use of the Tribal 
Water Rights, subject to the condition that if an Al-
lotment governed by the Act of February 8, 1887 
(commonly known as the ‘‘Indian General Allotment 
Act’’) (24 Stat. 388, chapter 119; 25 U.S.C. 331 et 
seq.), becomes Zuni Lands, the water rights associ-
ated with that Allotment shall be subject to the re-
strictions and conditions on the Tribal Water Rights 
set forth in this Act and the Agreement. 
(3) ALLOTTEE
WATER
RIGHTS
TO
BE
ADJU-
DICATED.—Allottees, or the United States, acting in 
its capacity as trustee for Allottees, may make water 
rights claims, and such claims may be adjudicated in 
the Zuni River Stream System. 
SEC. 112. ANTIDEFICIENCY. 
The United States shall not be liable for any failure 
to carry out any obligation or activity authorized by this 
title, including any obligation or activity under the Agree-
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ment, if adequate appropriations are not provided ex-
pressly by Congress to carry out the purposes of this title. 
TITLE II—ZUNI SALT LAKE AND 
SANCTUARY PROTECTION 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) CASUAL COLLECTING.—The term ‘‘casual 
collecting’’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 6301 of the Omnibus Public Land Management 
Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 470aaa). 
(2) FEDERAL LAND.—The term ‘‘Federal land’’ 
means— 
(A) any Federal land or interest in Federal 
land that is within the boundary of the Zuni 
Salt Lake and Sanctuary; and 
(B) any land or interest in land located 
within the boundary of the Zuni Salt Lake and 
Sanctuary that is acquired by the Federal Gov-
ernment after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(3) MAP.—The term ‘‘Map’’ means the map en-
titled ‘‘Legislative Map for Zuni Tribe Water Settle-
ment’’ and dated June 17, 2024. 
(4) ZUNI SALT LAKE AND SANCTUARY.—The 
term ‘‘Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary’’ means the 
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