HR 302 119th Congress House Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative law and regulatory procedures Department of Agriculture Department of the Interior Indian lands and resources rights Intergovernmental relations Land use and conservation Licensing and registrations State and local government operations Water use and supply

Water Rights Protection Act

Introduced: January 9, 2025 Introduced by: Maloy, Celeste Republican · Utah See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 8 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Nov 25, 2025

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 334.

Nov 25, 2025

Committee on Agriculture discharged.

Nov 25, 2025

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-384, Part I.

Feb 14, 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Feb 12, 2025

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 16.

Feb 12, 2025

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jan 9, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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 9, 2025

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Water Rights Protection Act of 2025

This bill limits the transfer of water rights from water users to the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

First, the bill prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements (e.g., permits and leases) on the transfer of any water right to the United States. Next, it prohibits Interior and USDA from requiring water users, including Indian tribes, to acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of the issuance or renewal of a land use or occupancy agreement. Finally, it prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning or withholding the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements on (1) limiting the date, time, quantity, location of diversion or pumping, or place of use of a state water right beyond any applicable limitations under state water law; or (2) modifying the terms and conditions of groundwater withdrawal, guidance and reporting procedures, or conservation and source protection measures established by a state.

Interior and USDA must also ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement than under applicable state water law.

Further, Interior and USDA must not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights.

What's happening now November 25, 2025

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 334.

Committees of jurisdiction 3