119th Congress
H.R. 907
Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became law
- Sponsor
- Ryan K. Zinke(R-MT)
- Introduced
- Jan 31, 2025
- Policy area
- Native Americans
- Committees
- House Committee on Natural Resources
- Official text
- Introduced in House · Congress.gov page
Cosponsors (2)
Original cosponsors (1)
- Troy Downing (R-MT)
Added later (1)
- Michael K. Simpson (R-ID) · Aug 24, 2026
Summary
Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in House” version
Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025
This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes). The bill also authorizes wastewater infrastructure on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.
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 prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.
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.
The bill also authorizes Interior to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain, and replace community water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.
Roll-call votes
No recorded votes on this bill.
Actions
- Jan 31, 2025 · House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. - Jan 31, 2025
Introduced in House