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S. 64 118th Congress Senate

Water Rights Protection Act of 2023

Official title: A bill to prohibit the conditioning of any permit, lease, or other use agreement on the transfer of any water right to the United States by the Secretary of th… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to prohibit the conditioning of any permit, lease, or other use agreement on the transfer of any water right to the United States by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 25, 2023 Introduced by: John Barrasso Republican · Wyoming See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of the InteriorIndian lands and resources rights
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Intergovernmental relationsLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsState and local government operationsWater use and supply
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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
Jan 25, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Jan 25, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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 Latest action January 25, 2023

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Water Rights Protection Act of 2023

This bill addresses issues of water rights with respect to lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, including water rights of federally recognized Indian tribes.

Specifically, such departments must ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement than under applicable state water law.

Further, such departments shall not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights.

The bill also prohibits such departments from requiring water users to transfer water rights to the United States or acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of issuing or renewing a land use or occupancy agreement.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 7544 Water Rights Protection Act of 2024
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 2
R
Crapo, Mike
Idaho · Jan 25, 2023
 R
Risch, James E.
Idaho · Jan 25, 2023
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 64: Water Rights Protection Act of 2023. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-64/
MLA
"S. 64: Water Rights Protection Act of 2023." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-64/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 64, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-64/.
Markdown link
[S. 64: Water Rights Protection Act of 2023](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-64/)
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