Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 241

119th Congress

Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 24, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Steve Daines

Senator

Republican

MT

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Native Americans

Summary

This bill settles water rights for the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and authorizes wastewater infrastructure for the Blackfeet Tribe. It establishes settlement trust funds, allows land exchanges between federal and state governments, and requires the community to enact a tribal water code.

Latest Action

Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

SponsorSteve Daines (R-MT)

Introduced1/24/2025

StatusCommittee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

This bill settles water rights for the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and authorizes wastewater infrastructure for the Blackfeet Tribe. It establishes settlement trust funds, allows land exchanges between federal and state governments, and requires t

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This bill settles water rights for the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and authorizes wastewater infrastructure for the Blackfeet Tribe. It establishes settlement trust funds, allows land exchanges between federal and state governments, and requires the community to enact a tribal water code.

Bill Number: 241
Sponsor: Steve Daines (R-MT)
Introduced: 1/24/2025
Status: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Policy Area: Native Americans

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025
Bill Number: 241
Sponsor: Steve Daines (R-MT)
Status: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Introduced: 1/24/2025
Summary: This bill settles water rights for the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and authorizes wastewater infrastructure for the Blackfeet Tribe. It establishes settlement trust funds, allows land exchanges between federal and state governments, and requires the community to enact a tribal water cod

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill settles water rights for the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana and authorizes wastewater infrastructure for the Blackfeet Tribe. It establishes settlement trust funds, allows land exchanges between federal and state governments, and requires the community to enact a tribal water code.

Last updated: 1/6/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes). The bill also authorizes wastewater infrastructure on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.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 prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.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>The bill also authorizes Interior to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain, and replace community water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Settles Fort Belknap water rights in Montana
Establishes Aaniiih Nakoda Settlement Trust Fund
Authorizes Blackfeet Tribe wastewater infrastructure
Allows federal-state land exchanges for tribal benefit
Requires tribal water code for regulation

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

The Fort Belknap Indian Community would gain legal certainty over water rights. The Blackfeet Tribe would receive wastewater infrastructure support. Both tribes would benefit from improved water resources and related facilities.

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

241, 119th Congress (2025). "Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-241

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