Environment (Tribal Nations)

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 5, 2025

S 241: Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

The Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 resolves water rights claims for the Fort Belknap Indian Community by ratifying a water rights compact with Montana, allocating 20,000 acre-feet per year of water from Lake Elwell, and authorizing land exchanges to expand tribal land holdings. It establishes a trust fund to support water infrastructure projects and irrigation system rehabilitation, while granting the tribe authority to manage water resources on and off the reservation. The bill resolves historical water rights claims through a comprehensive settlement that includes environmental compliance provisions and detailed water rights administration mechanisms. It provides specific funding mechanisms to carry out water resource development and settlement obligations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates water resources to tribal community for infrastructure and conservation, supporting environmental protection through sustainable water management.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Oct 24, 2025

HR 5825: Tribal Housing Innovation Act

The Tribal Housing Innovation Act (HR 5825) creates a competitive grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund sustainable housing on tribal lands. It provides up to $150 million annually for Indian Tribes or tribal housing groups to build new residential units with sustainable features (like solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, or insulation) or add such features to existing units. Grants require that units be rented only to tribal members, and recipients must report on the number of units built/modified, features added, and tenant demographics. The program mandates annual reporting to Congress on national impacts, aiming to improve housing sustainability while prioritizing tribal communities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates sustainable housing features including solar panels and energy-efficient appliances, directly advancing renewable energy and efficiency standards.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds sustainable housing with solar panels and energy-efficient features on tribal lands, directly advancing environmental protection and clean energy adoption.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $150M annually for sustainable housing development on tribal lands, directly funding new residential units with energy-efficient features, advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2025

HR 4377: Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025

The Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025 provides federal funding to address the lack of clean water and sanitation on Tribal lands and for the Native Hawaiian Community. The bill authorizes $100 million annually for USDA water infrastructure loans and grants, $500 million annually for Indian Health Service sanitation facilities, $100 million annually for operation and maintenance of water systems, and $30 million annually for technical assistance to help Tribal communities access and manage water infrastructure funding. It specifically expands eligibility to include Native Hawaiian organizations, addresses gaps in previous infrastructure funding, and requires no matching contributions from Tribal communities. The bill targets the situation where nearly half of households on Tribal lands lack reliable water sources and basic sanitation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides federal funding for clean water and sanitation on Tribal lands, directly advancing environmental protection and public health infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 3478: Indian Buffalo Management Act

This bill authorizes the U.S. Department of the Interior to provide funding, contracts, and technical assistance to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations for buffalo restoration and management on tribal lands. It requires the Department to consult with tribes on buffalo-related initiatives and allows tribes to receive surplus buffalo from federal land without cost. The law supports tribes in using buffalo for cultural preservation, subsistence, and economic development through programs like meat processing and habitat management. It explicitly protects tribal treaty rights and mandates that all actions align with tribal laws and management plans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes federal funding for tribal buffalo programs, allocating resources for cultural and economic development through government spending.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes buffalo restoration and conservation on tribal lands, supporting natural resource management and cultural preservation through federal funding and technical assistance.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 564: Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 resolves longstanding water rights claims for the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation in the Zuni River Stream System. It establishes a $655.5 million trust fund to support water infrastructure development, confirms the Tribe's water rights held in trust by the U.S. government (prohibiting forfeiture through non-use), and withdraws approximately 92,364 acres of federal land to protect the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary. The bill ensures allottees' (individual landowners) water rights remain separate from the Tribe's rights, with specific provisions for accounting for water use on allotments. This settlement replaces all previous claims against the U.S. government related to water rights in the Zuni River System.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes trust fund for water infrastructure, confirms water rights, and withdraws federal land to protect Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, directly supporting environmental conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Dec 9, 2025

HR 6503: Broadband for Americans through Responsible Streamlining (BARS) Act

The BARS Act streamlines broadband infrastructure deployment by exempting certain projects from environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). It applies to projects like small cell installations on existing structures, modifications in public rights-of-way, and disaster recovery work, removing federal review hurdles for telecom companies. The bill also creates a presumption that tribes have waived concerns about projects if they fail to respond within 45 days to FCC forms (Form 620/621), unless tribes provide a "favorable demonstration" to override this. This directly affects telecom providers seeking faster approvals and Indian tribes regarding consultation processes for infrastructure projects.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts broadband projects from environmental reviews under NEPA and NHPA, weakening environmental protections and reducing oversight of infrastructure impacts.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStreamlines broadband infrastructure deployment by removing federal review hurdles, directly expanding internet access as a core technology policy objective.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Natural Disasters Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 9, 2025

S 1131: Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act

This bill redesignates the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and establishes a new Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve in Georgia, to be created once the Secretary of the Interior acquires sufficient land. It authorizes the Secretary to acquire land for both areas only through voluntary means (purchase, donation, or exchange), prohibits eminent domain, and requires a management plan prioritizing preservation of cultural sites sacred to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The bill also creates an advisory council with tribal representation, mandates hiring preferences for tribal members, and sets rules for managing hunting and fishing within the preserve under federal and state laws.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes national park and preserve to protect natural and cultural resources, prioritizes preservation of sacred sites, and restricts land acquisition to voluntary means, supporting environmental conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Feb 18, 2025

HR 1444: Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

HR 1444, the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025, establishes a settlement for the Zuni Tribe's water rights in the Zuni River Stream System by confirming the Tribe's water rights held in trust by the U.S. government. The bill creates a $655.5 million Trust Fund for water infrastructure development and management, plus $29.5 million for operation and maintenance, with funds to be used for projects like water treatment, irrigation systems, and watershed protection. It also protects approximately 217,000 acres of culturally significant land around Zuni Salt Lake by withdrawing Federal land from development and imposing management restrictions. The settlement ensures Tribal water rights cannot be forfeited for non-use and maintains existing water rights for individual allottees on Zuni Lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds watershed protection and water infrastructure projects, directly advancing environmental conservation and resource management under tribal water rights settlement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Public Lands Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Aug 27, 2026

HR 726: Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025

This bill amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to update funding mechanisms for water infrastructure projects on the Crow Tribe reservation. It creates two new accounts: the MR&I Projects Account for water infrastructure (like treatment plants and pipelines) and the Crow CIP Implementation Account for other settlement expenses. The bill replaces "System" with "Projects" throughout the law and extends the timeframe for Yellowtail Dam from 15 to 20 years. These changes affect how funds are managed for the Crow Tribe's water rights settlement, primarily impacting the Crow Tribe of Montana and federal management of settlement funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water infrastructure projects including treatment plants and pipelines, supporting clean water access and resource conservation on tribal lands.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2025

S 2272: Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025

The Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025 provides federal funding to improve water infrastructure on Tribal lands and for the Native Hawaiian community. The bill authorizes $100 million annually for water and waste facility loans and grants, $500 million for sanitation facilities construction through the Indian Health Service, and $100 million for operation and maintenance of water systems, all from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. It also provides $30 million annually for technical assistance to help Tribes access funding and develop sustainable water systems. The bill aims to address the lack of clean water access, which affects nearly half of all households on Tribal lands. The funding requires no matching contribution from Tribes and prioritizes facilities most in need of assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes $730M+ in federal funding (2026-2030) for Tribal water infrastructure, sanitation, and operations, directly increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water infrastructure on Tribal lands, directly advancing clean water access and environmental protection through specific federal allocations for facilities and maintenance.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides federal funding for water infrastructure on Tribal lands, which directly supports public health and healthcare access for Native communities by improving sanitation and water quality.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

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