Water Rights Protection Act of 2025
3/11/2025, 7:01 PMSummary of Bill HR 302
Bill 119 hr 302, also known as the "Water Rights Protection Act," aims to prevent the federal government from requiring individuals or entities to transfer their water rights to the United States as a condition for obtaining permits, leases, or other use agreements. The bill specifically targets the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, prohibiting them from imposing such conditions.The purpose of this legislation is to protect the rights of individuals and entities to maintain ownership and control over their water rights without interference from the federal government. By prohibiting the conditioning of permits, leases, or other agreements on the transfer of water rights, the bill seeks to ensure that individuals and entities are able to use and manage their water resources as they see fit.
Overall, the Water Rights Protection Act is designed to uphold the principle of private property rights and prevent government overreach in the management of water resources. The bill aims to strike a balance between environmental conservation and individual rights, ensuring that water rights remain in the hands of those who own them.
Congressional Summary of HR 302
Water Rights Protection Act of 2025
This bill limits the transfer of water rights from water users to the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
First, the bill prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements (e.g., permits and leases) on the transfer of any water right to the United States. Next, it prohibits Interior and USDA from requiring water users, including Indian tribes, to acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of the issuance or renewal of a land use or occupancy agreement. Finally, it prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning or withholding the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements on (1) limiting the date, time, quantity, location of diversion or pumping, or place of use of a state water right beyond any applicable limitations under state water law; or (2) modifying the terms and conditions of groundwater withdrawal, guidance and reporting procedures, or conservation and source protection measures established by a state.
Interior and USDA must also ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement than under applicable state water law.
Further, Interior and USDA must not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights.
