To clarify jurisdiction with respect to certain Bureau of Reclamation pumped storage development, and for other purposes.
Became Public Law No: 118-162.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 23, 2024
This act transfers National Forest System land near the Salt River in Arizona to the Bureau of Reclamation to expand the area used for generating hydropower for the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project. Any facilities on the covered land constructed by the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District or the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association must conform to Reclamation's standards. Once the facilities are substantially completed, Reclamation must take ownership of them. The district and the association must take responsibility for the facilities' operation and maintenance.
The act also exempts the land transfer from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It also directs the Bureau of Reclamation to serve as the lead agency with respect to environmental compliance.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 1 (Roll no. 599). (text: CR H5410)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5426)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1607.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5410-5411)
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 213.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-264.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-264.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Discharged.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Explore the bill from different angles
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Neutral evidence review
Objective
Analyze H.R.1607 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact
Progressive lens
Examine H.R.1607 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope
Conservative lens
Examine H.R.1607 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power
Liberty lens
Examine H.R.1607 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.