Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
In Committee
Introduced:Feb 18, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Earl L. Carter
Representative
Republican
GA-1
Cosponsors
2
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Native Americans
Summary
This bill settles water rights claims of the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, establishes a settlement trust fund, and protects the sacred Zuni Salt Lake by withdrawing surrounding federal land from mineral development and taking land into trust for the tribe.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill settles water rights claims of the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, establishes a settlement trust fund, and protects the sacred Zuni Salt Lake by withdrawing surrounding federal land from mineral development and taking land into trust for the tribe.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the pueblo of Zuni and establishes and provides funding for a related settlement trust fund. It also requires federal actions related to the Zuni Salt Lake in New Mexico.</p><p>Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by Zuni, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Zuni River Stream System in New Mexico.</p><p>The bill establishes and provides funding for the Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill.</p><p>Additionally, the bill (1) specifies the water rights of the pueblo; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the pueblo and the United States.</p><p>The bill also withdraws certain federal land in New Mexico from mineral development. The bill reserves this federal land for the following three purposes: (1) the protection of the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, (2) the protection of the quality and quantity of the Zuni Salt Lake's water supply, and (3) the protection of any cultural resources associated with the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary. The Bureau of Land Management must manage this land.</p><p>The Department of the Interior must take certain land surrounding the Zuni Salt Lake into trust for the benefit of Zuni.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Settles Zuni Pueblo water rights in New Mexico
Establishes Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund
Protects sacred Zuni Salt Lake from development
Withdraws land from mineral extraction
Takes federal land into trust for the tribe
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
The Zuni Pueblo would gain secure water rights and protection for their sacred Salt Lake, which has been used for ceremonial purposes for centuries. This ends longstanding disputes while preserving cultural resources and water supplies.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Native Americans
Related Subjects
Federal-Indian relations
Geography and mapping
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Indian claims
Indian lands and resources rights
Lakes and rivers
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
New Mexico
+1 more
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1444, 119th Congress (2025). "Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1444
