Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024

Bill: 118-s-1987
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-06-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Dams and canals
Department of the Interior
Economic development
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal-Indian relations
Government information and archives
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Historical and cultural resources
Hunting and fishing
Indian lands and resources rights
Indian social and development programs
Intergovernmental relations
Lakes and rivers
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Missouri River
Montana
Outdoor recreation
State and local government operations
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water storage
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2023-06-14
text: 

Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023

 
This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes).
 
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 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.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-06-21
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2024-06-21
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2024-06-20
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-06-20
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S4188-4198)
action_date: 2024-06-20
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S4188-4198)
action_date: 2024-06-20
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4172)
action_date: 2024-06-20
text: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-06-20
text: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2023-07-12
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-120.
action_date: 2023-06-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2023-06-14
text: Introduced in Senate