PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 55 · Passed Senate · Jun 4, 2020
Indian Water Rights Settlement Extension Act
This bill ratifies and modifies various agreements related to tribal water rights and contains other related provisions.
The bill ratifies an agreement relating to the settlement of the Aamodt litigation, which resolved claims concerning Pueblo water resources. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2028 activities to construct a regional water system as part of that settlement. Specifically, the bill ratifies an agreement between the United States, New Mexico, the city of Santa Fe, and the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque relating to the litigation. (This agreement is in addition to previously ratified agreements settling the litigation.)
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The bill also ratifies and modifies the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Agreement negotiated between the Navajo Nation, the United States, and Utah. That agreement gives the Navajo Nation the right to use water from sources located within Utah and adjacent to or encompassed within the boundaries of the Navajo Reservation, resulting in depletions not to exceed a specified amount annually.
The Department of the Interior shall establish and manage the Navajo Utah Settlement Trust Fund, with amounts available for withdrawal by the Navajo Nation for Navajo water development projects.
The bill specifies waivers and releases that must be executed in order for the Navajo settlement to be binding and effective.
The bill also authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to enter arrangements for the sharing of medical facilities and services with urban Indian organizations.
People & committees
Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] · D–NM
Legislative record
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Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S2745)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2743-2745)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 397.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-189.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-189.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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.
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