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H.R. 5088 118th Congress House

Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023

Official title: To provide for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Fort Belknap Indian Community, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 28, 2023 See on congress.gov
Native Americans Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationDams and canalsDepartment of the InteriorEconomic development
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchExecutive agency funding and structureFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHistorical and cultural resourcesHunting and fishingIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsIntergovernmental relationsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationMissouri RiverMontanaOutdoor recreationState and local government operationsWater qualityWater resources fundingWater storageWater use and supplyWatersheds
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 28, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jul 28, 2023
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 28, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023

This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes).

The bill requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for the benefit of the community and its allottees. The community must enact a tribal water code to regulate its water rights.

Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (as applicable) to enter negotiations with Montana to exchange certain state lands for federal lands to be held in trust for the benefit of the community.

The bill also

  • establishes the Aaniiih Nakoda Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill,
  • establishes the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Settlement Implementation Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill, and
  • provides funding for specified accounts established by the bill.
 Related & companion bills 4
  • S 2226 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
  • HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
  • HR 8791 Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024
  • HR 7240 Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5088: Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5088/
MLA
"H.R. 5088: Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5088/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5088, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5088/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5088: Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5088/)
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