A bill to amend the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act to facilitate implementation of the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, and for other purposes.

Senate Bill

S. 3242

119th Congress

A bill to amend the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act to facilitate implementation of the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, and for other purposes.

In Committee

Introduced:Nov 20, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Baldwin

D - WI

Cosponsors

4

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Finance and Financial Sector

Summary

This bill would amend a previous law to facilitate the implementation of an agreement that settles water rights issues involving the Taos Pueblo Native American tribe in New Mexico. It would establish two new trust funds to support the tribe's groundwater and surface water infrastructure and projects.

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would amend a previous law to facilitate the implementation of an agreement that settles water rights issues involving the Taos Pueblo Native American tribe in New Mexico. It would establish two new trust funds to support the tribe's groundwater and surface water infrastructure and projects.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports Rural America Act or the ACCESS Rural America Act This bill increases the shareholder registration threshold for issuers receiving support through federal universal service support mechanisms, which provide communication services to underserved areas. The bill also requires these issuers to make available certain financial information to investors, such as a summary of their consolidated balance sheet.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Establishes a Taos Pueblo Groundwater Development Supplemental Trust Fund to pay for the tribe's groundwater infrastructure
Establishes a Taos Pueblo Surface Water Sharing Supplemental Trust Fund to support the tribe's surface water projects
Allows the tribe to use the funds for a variety of water-related activities like planning, construction, and operations
Provides more flexibility in how the existing Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund can be used

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If enacted, this bill would directly benefit the Taos Pueblo tribe by giving them more financial resources and flexibility to manage their water infrastructure and projects. This could improve water access and reliability for the tribe, as well as support economic development on tribal lands.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Finance and Financial Sector

Related Subjects

Business investment and capital

Business records

Licensing and registrations

Rural conditions and development

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3242, 119th Congress (2025). "A bill to amend the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act to facilitate implementation of the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, and for other purposes.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-3242