Summary
The Water Rights Protection Act would limit the federal government's ability to condition land permits and leases on water rights transfers. Specifically, the bill would prevent the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from requiring water users—including Indian tribes—to transfer water rights to the federal government or to acquire water rights in the federal government's name as a condition of obtaining or renewing permits and leases for land use. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the House.
If enacted, the bill would also restrict federal agencies from imposing water use limitations stricter than those established by state water law. Federal agencies could not condition permits on limiting when, where, or how much water can be diverted or used beyond what state law already requires. Additionally, the bill would prevent federal agencies from modifying state-established rules about groundwater withdrawal, reporting procedures, or conservation measures. The practical effect would be to preserve state authority over water rights and usage while limiting federal regulatory power in this area.
AI-generated summary
Lifecycle of the Bill
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 12, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 16.
Feb 12, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Feb 12, 2025 · 15:00
Mark up on • H.R. 231 (Rep. Hageman), “Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act of 2025”; • H.R. 249 (Rep. Pallone), To redesignate certain facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.; • H.R. 302 (Rep. Maloy), “Water Rights Protection Act of 2025”; • H.R. 331 (Rep. Fulcher), To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes. • H.R. 618 (Rep. Horsford), To amend the Apex Project, Nevada Land Transfer and Authorization Act of 1989 to include the City of North Las Vegas and the Apex Industrial Park Owners Association, and for other purposes. • H.R. 1001 (Rep. Hageman), To provide for a memorandum of understanding to address the impacts of a certain record of decision on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. • H.R. 1044 (Rep. Valadao), To amend Public Law 99-338 with respect to Kaweah Project permits. • H.R. 1110 (Rep. LaMalfa), “Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act”. • The House Committee on Natural Resources 119th Congress Authorization and Oversight Plan.
Summary
On February 12, 2025, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a markup session to consider eight bills addressing water management, conservation, and land issues. The bills included measures focused on Colorado River Basin conservation, water rights protection, aquifer recharge flexibility, grazing for wildfire risk reduction, and various technical corrections to existing water and land management laws. The bills also included a measure to redesignate facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. The markup session allowed committee members to debate and potentially amend the proposed legislation before deciding whether to advance any of the bills. A markup hearing is a procedural step in the legislative process where a committee examines bills in detail, but holding a markup does not guarantee that any of the bills will be approved or move forward in Congress. The committee also addressed its 119th Congress Authorization and Oversight Plan during the session. The bills represent efforts to address water management challenges in western states, particularly regarding the Colorado River Basin and aquifer protection, as well as land management practices like grazing and wildfire risk reduction. These measures reflect ongoing congressional attention to natural resource management and water policy issues affecting multiple western states and communities.
Video
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Feb 14, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-384, Part I.
Nov 25, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-384, Part I.
Nov 25, 2025
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Nov 25, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 12, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 16.
Feb 12, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Feb 12, 2025 · 15:00
Mark up on • H.R. 231 (Rep. Hageman), “Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act of 2025”; • H.R. 249 (Rep. Pallone), To redesignate certain facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.; • H.R. 302 (Rep. Maloy), “Water Rights Protection Act of 2025”; • H.R. 331 (Rep. Fulcher), To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes. • H.R. 618 (Rep. Horsford), To amend the Apex Project, Nevada Land Transfer and Authorization Act of 1989 to include the City of North Las Vegas and the Apex Industrial Park Owners Association, and for other purposes. • H.R. 1001 (Rep. Hageman), To provide for a memorandum of understanding to address the impacts of a certain record of decision on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. • H.R. 1044 (Rep. Valadao), To amend Public Law 99-338 with respect to Kaweah Project permits. • H.R. 1110 (Rep. LaMalfa), “Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act”. • The House Committee on Natural Resources 119th Congress Authorization and Oversight Plan.
Summary
On February 12, 2025, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a markup session to consider eight bills addressing water management, conservation, and land issues. The bills included measures focused on Colorado River Basin conservation, water rights protection, aquifer recharge flexibility, grazing for wildfire risk reduction, and various technical corrections to existing water and land management laws. The bills also included a measure to redesignate facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. The markup session allowed committee members to debate and potentially amend the proposed legislation before deciding whether to advance any of the bills. A markup hearing is a procedural step in the legislative process where a committee examines bills in detail, but holding a markup does not guarantee that any of the bills will be approved or move forward in Congress. The committee also addressed its 119th Congress Authorization and Oversight Plan during the session. The bills represent efforts to address water management challenges in western states, particularly regarding the Colorado River Basin and aquifer protection, as well as land management practices like grazing and wildfire risk reduction. These measures reflect ongoing congressional attention to natural resource management and water policy issues affecting multiple western states and communities.
Video
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Feb 14, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-384, Part I.
Nov 25, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-384, Part I.
Nov 25, 2025
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Nov 25, 2025
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jan 9, 2025
