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HR 128 105th Congress House

State Water Sovereignty Protection Act

Official title: To preserve the authority of the States over waters within their boundaries, to delegate the authority of the Congress to the States to regulate water, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 7, 1997 Introduced by: Crapo, Mike Republican · Idaho See on congress.gov
Water Resources Development Delegation of powersFederal-state relationsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment liability
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LawLegal feesParties to actionsState lawsStates' rightsWater rightsWater use
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 5, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.
Feb 10, 1997
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Feb 10, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
Feb 4, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E157)
Jan 7, 1997
Introduced in House
Jan 7, 1997
Referred to House Resources
Jan 7, 1997
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, 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.
Jan 7, 1997
Referred to House Judiciary
Jan 7, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E8-9)
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 Latest action March 5, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

State Water Sovereignty Protection Act - Directs the United States, whenever it seeks to appropriate water or acquire a water right within a State, to be subject to all procedural and substantive laws of that State relating to its water rights and uses. Gives consent to join the United States in any State proceeding relating to the allocation or use of a water right.

Subjects management and control of water within a State to the laws of such State. Delegates to the respective States the authority to regulate water. Allows the United States to exercise management and control of water within a State only in compliance with that State's laws.

Subjects the United States to the imposition of costs and fees in a proceeding to the same extent as a private party.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 128: State Water Sovereignty Protection Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-128/
MLA
"H.R. 128: State Water Sovereignty Protection Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-128/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 128, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-128/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 128: State Water Sovereignty Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-128/)
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