PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 9, 2025
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.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
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.
People & committees
Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2] · R–UT
Legislative record
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Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 334.
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-384, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-384, Part I.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 16.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 19, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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