Water Rights Protection Act of 2025
3/11/2025, 7:01 PM
Summary of Bill HR 302
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.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 302
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 302
Total Number of Sponsors
8Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
8Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
15Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
15Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 302
Primary Policy Focus
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesAlternate Title(s) of Bill HR 302
To prohibit the conditioning of any permit, lease, or other use agreement on the transfer of any water right to the United States by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes.To prohibit the conditioning of any permit, lease, or other use agreement on the transfer of any water right to the United States by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes.Comments
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3 months ago
This bill gonna mess with my water rights, not cool at all.
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4 months ago
I can't believe this is finally happening! It's about time we had some protection for our water rights. This is going to make a huge difference for so many people. I'm excited to see how it all plays out. This is definitely a win for the people who rely on water for their livelihoods.
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4 months ago
This bill, HR 302, is bad news. It's gonna mess with our water rights and that's not cool. I don't want the government telling me what I can and can't do with my own water. They need to leave us alone and stop trying to control everything. I'm not happy about this at all.
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5 months ago
I support this bill.
