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To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

6/11/2025, 7:53 PM

Summary of Bill HR 331

Bill 119 hr 331, also known as the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, aims to make a clarification to a provision in the original act regarding conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes. The bill seeks to ensure that the conveyances used for aquifer recharge are clearly defined and regulated in order to protect and preserve the quality of groundwater resources.

The Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act was originally passed to promote the recharge of aquifers, which are underground layers of rock or sediment that hold water. Aquifer recharge is important for maintaining water supplies and preventing depletion of groundwater resources. The act allows for the use of conveyances, such as pipelines or canals, to transport water for recharge purposes.

However, there has been confusion and ambiguity surrounding the definition and regulation of these conveyances. Bill 119 hr 331 seeks to address this issue by clarifying the language in the original act to ensure that conveyances used for aquifer recharge are properly managed and monitored. Overall, the goal of this bill is to improve the effectiveness of aquifer recharge efforts and ensure that groundwater resources are protected for future generations. It is an important piece of legislation that aims to address a specific issue within the broader context of water resource management in the United States.

Congressional Summary of HR 331

This bill modifies the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to expand provisions concerning authorizations (e.g., rights-of-way) to transport water across public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for aquifer recharge purposes.

Under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, the holder of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations to transport water across BLM land may transport the water for aquifer recharge purposes without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior so long as the use does not expand or modify the operation of such authorizations across public land.

The bill allows the holders of such authorizations to act not only on behalf of themselves, but also on behalf of states, Indian Tribes, or public entities, to use the existing authorizations for aquifer recharge without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior. Further, the bill states that this use may not be considered an expansion, modification, major federal action, or substantial deviation.

Additionally, the bill exempts holders from paying additional rents to the BLM for any use of such authorizations; however, the exemption does not apply to for-profit uses of aquifer recharge or for-profit entities. 

Finally, holders of rights-of-way or other authorizations must provide notice to the BLM of the intended use of authorization as specified by the bill.

Current Status of Bill HR 331

Bill HR 331 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since May 14, 2025. Bill HR 331 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on January 13, 2025.  Bill HR 331's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. as of May 14, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 331

Total Number of Sponsors
14
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
14
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
1
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
1
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 331

Primary Policy Focus

Water Resources Development

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 331

To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.
To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

Comments

Ryan Pate profile image

Ryan Pate

527

9 months ago

I support it, good job!