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HR 331 119th Congress House Water Resources Development Land use and conservation Water use and supply

To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

Introduced: January 13, 2025 Introduced by: Fulcher, Russ Republican · Idaho See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 14, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
May 13, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 13, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1969)
May 13, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1969)
May 13, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 331.
May 13, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1969-1970)
May 13, 2025
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Apr 17, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 37.
Apr 17, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-60.
Feb 12, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Feb 12, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 12, 2025
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
Jan 23, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jan 21, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Jan 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill modifies the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to expand provisions concerning authorizations (e.g., rights-of-way) to transport water across public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for aquifer recharge purposes.

Under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, the holder of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations to transport water across BLM land may transport the water for aquifer recharge purposes without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior so long as the use does not expand or modify the operation of such authorizations across public land.

The bill allows the holders of such authorizations to act not only on behalf of themselves, but also on behalf of states, Indian Tribes, or public entities, to use the existing authorizations for aquifer recharge without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior. Further, the bill states that this use may not be considered an expansion, modification, major federal action, or substantial deviation.

Additionally, the bill exempts holders from paying additional rents to the BLM for any use of such authorizations; however, the exemption does not apply to for-profit uses of aquifer recharge or for-profit entities. 

Finally, holders of rights-of-way or other authorizations must provide notice to the BLM of the intended use of authorization as specified by the bill.

What's happening now May 14, 2025

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

 Committees of jurisdiction 3