Water Rights Protection Act

HR 302, the Water Rights Protection Act of 2025, requires federal agencies (like the Departments of Agriculture or Interior) to respect state authority over water rights when issuing permits or managing land. It prohibits federal actions that would override state water laws, such as forcing water rights transfers to the U.S. government, imposing stricter usage limits than state law, or interfering with tribal water rights. The bill directly affects states, water users (including federally recognized tribes), and federal land management decisions involving water permits. It explicitly states it does not change existing laws like the Endangered Species Act or tribal water rights, focusing solely on preserving state regulatory control.