Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025

Hozzl · 2026-01-10T07:06:56Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 240 Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Native Americans. Stay informed on legislative developments.

1/10/2026, 7:06 AM

Summary of Bill S 240

Bill 119 s 240, also known as the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act Amendment, aims to make improvements to the original Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010. The bill seeks to address any shortcomings or areas of improvement in the previous legislation, in order to better serve the needs of the Crow Tribe and ensure the fair and equitable distribution of water rights.

The specific details of the amendments proposed in Bill 119 s 240 are not explicitly outlined in the summary, but it is clear that the bill is focused on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the original settlement act. Additionally, the bill states that it is intended for "other purposes," suggesting that there may be additional provisions or changes included in the legislation beyond just amending the original act.

Overall, Bill 119 s 240 appears to be a proactive effort to address any issues or concerns that have arisen since the passage of the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010, and to ensure that the Crow Tribe's water rights are protected and upheld in a fair and just manner.

Congressional Summary of S 240

Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025

This bill revises the water rights settlement agreement entered into by the Crow Tribe of Montana and Montana.

The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 ratified, authorized, and confirmed the water rights compact between the tribe and Montana. Among other provisions, this settlement act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to plan, design and construct the following two major projects on the Crow Reservation: (1) the rehabilitation and improvement of the Crow Irrigation Project (CIP); and (2) the planning, design, and construction of the MR&I System (the municipal, rural, and industrial water system of the Crow Reservation).

Among other provisions, the bill revises the settlement act to

replace references to the MR&I System with MR&I Projects;
establish a nontrust, interest-bearing account (to be known as the Crow CIP Implementation Account) to allow Reclamation to continue to work on the rehabilitation of the CIP;
create a new MR&I Projects Account, through which the tribe must use funds for activities related to water production, treatment, or delivery infrastructure; and
extend by five years (to 2030) the period during which the tribe has the exclusive right to construct hydropower facilities on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam in Montana.

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Current Status of Bill S 240

Bill S 240 is currently in the status of Passed in Senate since December 11, 2025. Bill S 240 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on January 24, 2025. Bill S 240's most recent activity was Held at the desk. as of December 15, 2025