To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

Bill: 119-hr-331
Sponsor: Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
Introduced: 2025-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Land use and conservation
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: 
This bill modifies the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to expand provisions concerning authorizations (e.g., rights-of-way) to transport water across public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for aquifer recharge purposes.

Under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, the holder of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations to transport water across BLM land may transport the water for aquifer recharge purposes without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior so long as the use does not expand or modify the operation of such authorizations across public land.

The bill allows the holders of such authorizations to act not only on behalf of themselves, but also on behalf of states, Indian Tribes, or public entities, to use the existing authorizations for aquifer recharge without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior. Further, the bill states that this use may not be considered an expansion, modification, major federal action, or substantial deviation.

Additionally, the bill exempts holders from paying additional rents to the BLM for any use of such authorizations; however, the exemption does not apply to for-profit uses of aquifer recharge or for-profit entities. 

Finally, holders of rights-of-way or other authorizations must provide notice to the BLM of the intended use of authorization as specified by the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-05-14
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2025-05-13
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-05-13
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1969)
action_date: 2025-05-13
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1969)
action_date: 2025-05-13
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 331.
action_date: 2025-05-13
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1969-1970)
action_date: 2025-05-13
text: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2025-04-17
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 37.
action_date: 2025-04-17
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-60.
action_date: 2025-04-17
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-60.
action_date: 2025-02-12
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2025-02-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2025-02-12
text: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
action_date: 2025-01-23
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held
action_date: 2025-01-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-13
text: Introduced in House