Bills · HR 5935
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5935CaliforniaHistorical and cultural resources
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act
INTRO NOV 7· LAST ACTION NOV 7
READING
58MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenWater is a critical resource, especially in arid regions like California, and this bill addresses a decades-long legal battle over water rights in the Coachella Valley. It matters because it seeks to bring a final and legally binding resolution to complex disputes between a sovereign Native American Tribe and surrounding non-tribal water entities. If this bill becomes law, it would provide much-needed clarity and stability in water management for the Tribe, local water districts, and the broader community, potentially avoiding future costly litigation and ensuring a predictable water supply.
If the bill does not pass, the existing water rights claims and related lawsuits could continue, leading to ongoing uncertainty, potential disruptions in water access and management, and continued legal expenses for all parties involved. This settlement aims to establish a framework for cooperative water management and economic development, which has significant long-term implications for the region's sustainability.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Formally approves the 'Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Agreement' dated May 19, 2025, and directs the Secretary to carry it out.
This provision legally validates the core agreement that resolves the Tribe's water rights claims, providing a final framework for water allocation and management.
PROVISION 02
Establishes the specific water rights for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, resolving claims for the Tribe and the United States as trustee.
This grants the Tribe a legally defined amount of water, crucial for its reservation and economic development, and ends long-standing ambiguity over its water access.
PROVISION 03
Creates a 'Settlement trust fund' and authorizes funding necessary for the implementation of the Agreement and the Act.
This ensures the financial resources are available to put the settlement into practice, supporting water infrastructure and related projects.
PROVISION 04
Requires the waiver and release of all existing claims related to the Tribe's water rights, water-related fees, and the Tribal Possessory Interest Tax.
This provision ends the ongoing lawsuits and legal disputes, bringing finality and reducing legal costs for all parties involved.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes the transfer of certain federal land into trust for the Tribe and the sale of other federal land to the Coachella Valley Water District.
This ensures that land necessary for the settlement's implementation and for the Tribe's benefit is appropriately transferred, alongside land for local water district operations.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· California
YRS IN OFFICE
33
BILLS LED
26
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSNOV 7
Introduced in House
NOV 7
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5935
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedNov 7, 2025
Last actionNov 7, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED NOV 7, 2025
House BillHR 5935CaliforniaHistorical and cultural resources
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act
INTRODUCED NOV 7, 2025· LAST ACTION NOV 7, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
58 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
