Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024

Senate Bill

S. 1987

119th Congress

Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024

Held at the desk.

Introduced:Jun 9, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Jon Tester

D - MT

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Native Americans

Summary

This bill settles a long-standing dispute over water rights between the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and the state. It requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for their benefit, allows the community to manage their own water through a tribal water code, and establishes funds to help implement the settlement.

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

Introduced6/9/2025

StatusHeld at the desk.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024

This bill settles a long-standing dispute over water rights between the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and the state. It requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for their benefit, allows the community to manage their own water throu

Community Breakdown

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Fail

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This bill settles a long-standing dispute over water rights between the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and the state. It requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for their benefit, allows the community to manage their own water through a tribal water code, and establishes funds to help implement the settlement.

Bill Number: 1987
Introduced: 6/9/2025
Status: Held at the desk.
Policy Area: Native Americans

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024
Bill Number: 1987
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Held at the desk.
Introduced: 6/9/2025
Summary: This bill settles a long-standing dispute over water rights between the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and the state. It requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for their benefit, allows the community to manage their own water through a tribal water code, and establishes

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill settles a long-standing dispute over water rights between the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and the state. It requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for their benefit, allows the community to manage their own water through a tribal water code, and establishes funds to help implement the settlement.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

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 <ul> <li>establishes the Aaniiih Nakoda Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill,</li> <li> establishes the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Settlement Implementation Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill, and</li> <li>provides funding for specified accounts established by the bill.</li></ul>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Modifies and ratifies a water rights settlement agreement between the Fort Belknap Indian Community, the federal government, and the state of Montana
Requires the community's water rights to be held in trust and allows them to enact a tribal water code to regulate their water use
Authorizes land exchanges between the federal government and Montana to benefit the Fort Belknap Indian Community
Establishes trust funds to provide funding for implementing the water rights settlement

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If this bill becomes law, it would provide clarity and stability around water rights for the Fort Belknap Indian Community, allowing them to manage their own water resources. This could have significant impacts on the community's ability to develop economically and ensure access to clean water. The land exchanges could also expand the community's trust lands, potentially increasing their economic opportunities and preserving their cultural resources.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Native Americans

Related 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

+9 more

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1987, 119th Congress (2025). "Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-1987