PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 106-163.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Nov 4, 1999
Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement and Water Supply Enhancement Act of 1999 - Requires the Chippewa Cree Tribe (Tribe) of the Rocky Boy's Reservation in Montana, in exchange for benefits granted under this Act, to execute a waiver and release of certain water rights claims against the United States.Title I: Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement - Approves and ratifies the Water Rights Compact entered into on April 14, 1997, by the Tribe and the State of Montana, as modified by this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to execute and implement the Compact.Requires the United States, the Tribe, or the State of Montana to petition the Montana Water Court to enter and approve the proposed decree agreed to by such parties. Provides that if approval by the appropriate court does not become final within three years after the filing of the decree or the decree is approved but subsequently set aside: (1) the approval and ratification of the Compact by the United States shall be null and void; and (2) this Act shall be of no further force and effect.(Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to administer and enforce the Tribal Water Right until the approval of a tribal water code by the Tribe. Satisfies any entitlement to Federal Indian reserved water of any tribal member solely from the water secured to the Tribe by the Compact.Authorizes the Tribe, subject to the approval of the Secretary and the State and Compact conditions, to transfer any portion of the Tribal water right for use off the Reservation by service contract, lease, exchange, or other agreement.(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary: (1) through the Bureau of Reclamation, to plan, design, and construct specified water development projects on the Reservation; and (2) at the request of the Tribe, to enter into an agreement with the Tribe to carry out such activity through the Tribe's annual funding agreement entered into under the self- governance program under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.(Sec. 104) Establishes the Chippewa Cree Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement Trust Fund to fulfill the purposes of this Act, subject to certain restrictions on expenditures. Sets forth management and investment requirements, terms, and conditions.(Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations for the Fund and its various accounts, for on-Reservation water development projects, and for Bureau administrative costs.(Sec. 106) Describes the State contribution to the settlement.Title II: Tiber Reservoir Allocation and Feasibility Studies Authorization - Requires the Secretary to allocate a specified amount of stored water to the Tribe without cost. Grants the Tribe the right to devote the water to any use within or outside the Reservation.(Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary, through the Bureau, to: (1) perform a municipal, rural, industrial, domestic, and incidental drought relief feasibility study of water and related resources in North Central Montana to evaluate alternatives for a municipal, rural, and industrial water supply for the Reservation; and (2) conduct a regional feasibility study to evaluate such water and related resources to determine limitations and how such resources can best be managed to serve the needs of Montana's citizens. Authorizes appropriations for such feasibility studies.
People & committees
Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT] · R–MT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 106-163.
Became Public Law No: 106-163.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR 11/19/99 H12837-12840)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR 11/19/99 H12837-12840)
Mr. Young (AK) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H12836-12840)
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S14032-14036)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S14032-14036)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S14031-14036)
By Senator Campbell from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 106-200.
By Senator Campbell from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 106-200.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 297.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged. Pursuant to the order of May 27, 1999.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged. Pursuant to the order of May 27, 1999.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources pursuant to the order of May 27, 1999, for a period not to exceed 60 calendar days.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Campbell without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Campbell without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 106-119.
Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs with instructions that at such time as the Committee on Indian Affairs reports the measure, it be referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for a period not to exceed 60 calendar days and that if the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has not reported the measure prior to the expiration of the 60 calendar day period, the Energy Committee be discharged from further consideration of the measure and that the measure be then placed on the calendar.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Referred to Subcommittee on Water and Power.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1734)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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
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.
Analyze S.438 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.
Examine S.438 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.
Examine S.438 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.
Examine S.438 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.