What does DEFINITIONS. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

This section defines terms used in the Act, including 'Adjacent Lands', 'Agua Caliente', and 'Tribal Water Right'. The definitions cover various aspects, such as water management, land ownership, and tribal governance. The section provides a comprehensive list of 60 terms, each with a specific definition. The definitions are crucial for understanding the context and scope of the Act. The Act appears to be related to water rights and management in the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.

What does RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

This section ratifies an Agreement, except as modified by this Act. The Secretary is authorized to execute the Agreement and its exhibits. The Secretary and the Tribe must comply with federal environmental laws. The execution of the Agreement is not a major Federal action under NEPA. Compliance costs are paid from the Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund.

What does TRIBAL WATER RIGHT. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

This section confirms the Tribal Water Right as valid and ratifies its quantification of up to 20,000 AFY of Groundwater. The Tribal Water Right has a priority date no later than the 1876 and 1877 Executive Orders establishing the Reservation. The Tribe has the authority to use the Tribal Water Right on and off the Reservation, subject to the terms of the Agreement and applicable Federal law. The Tribal Water Right shall be held in trust by the United States on behalf of Agua Caliente and Allottees. The Tribe has the right to deliver water to water users on the Reservation using the Tribal Water Right at rates determined by the Tribe.

What does SETTLEMENT TRUST FUND. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

The Secretary shall establish the Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund. The trust fund consists of deposited amounts and investment earnings. The fund is divided into four accounts: Development Projects, Groundwater Augmentation, Water Management, and Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement Costs. The Tribe may withdraw amounts from the trust fund under certain conditions. The Secretary manages and invests the trust fund in accordance with specified laws.

What does ENFORCEABILITY DATE. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

The enforceability date is set when the Secretary publishes a statement of findings in the Federal Register. The statement of findings must confirm the Agreement has been amended to conform with this Act and executed by all parties. This Act expires if the Secretary fails to publish the statement of findings by December 31, 2035, or an agreed alternative date. Upon expiration, waivers and releases under section 9 are not effective, and the authorization of the Agreement under section 4 is no longer effective. Unexpended Federal funds and acquired property must be returned to the Federal Government unless otherwise agreed upon.

What does WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

This section establishes waivers and releases of claims by the Tribe, the United States acting as trustee for the Tribe, and the United States acting as trustee for Allottees. The waivers primarily relate to water rights, pore space, and damages arising from actions by CVWD or DWA, up to and after a specified Enforceability Date. Certain claims are explicitly reserved, including those related to enforcement of the Agreement and this Act, water quality under various environmental laws, and damages resulting from negligent or willful misconduct. The waivers take effect on the Enforceability Date. The Act clarifies that it does not reduce sovereignty, affect the United States' ability to carry out authorized activities, or confer jurisdiction on state courts to interpret federal law. Claims periods are tolled from the date of enactment of this Act until the Enforceability Date.

What does SATISFACTION OF CLAIMS. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

This section establishes that benefits provided to the Tribe under the Act will fully replace, substitute for, and satisfy all waived and released Claims against the United States as outlined in section 9(c). Similarly, benefits realized by Allottees under this Act will fully replace, substitute for, and satisfy waived and released Claims pursuant to section 9(b). Allottee Claims also include those similar in nature to claims described in section 9(b).

Back to bills

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

Q: What does Preamble of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

This bill concerns the settlement of water rights claims for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The bill aims to approve this settlement and includes provisions for 'other purposes'.

Q: What does PURPOSES. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

This Act aims to settle water rights claims in California for the Tribe and the United States The Act seeks to settle claims regarding water-related fees and taxes The Act authorizes the Agreement among the Tribe, CVWD, and DWA The Secretary is directed to execute the Agreement and take necessary actions The Act authorizes funds for Agreement implementation and land transfers Federal land may be transferred to the Tribe or sold to CVWD

Q: What does FUNDING. of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act do?

This section establishes funding for various Agua Caliente development projects. A total of $300,000,000 is allocated to the Agua Caliente development projects account. Additional funds of $100,000,000 are designated for the Agua Caliente groundwater augmentation account. The Agua Caliente water management account receives $50,000,000. An additional $50,000,000 is allocated to the Agua Caliente operation, maintenance and replacement costs account. These funds are to remain available until expended, withdrawn, or reverted to the general fund of the Treasury. The appropriated amounts may be adjusted based on fluctuations in costs, as indicated by the Bureau of Reclamation Construction Cost Index-Composite Trend. The Secretary can also adjust the amounts to address unforeseen market volatility and construction cost changes. The indexing and adjustment period for any increment of funding starts on May 19, 2025, and ends when funds are deposited in the Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund.

Last updated: 11/7/2025 · Introduced: 11/7/2025

Author: Ken Calvert (R-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill settles water rights claims for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the United States, authorizing an agreement between the Tribe, Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), and Desert Water Agency (DWA).
Up to $450 million in federal funding is allocated to various projects supporting the Tribe’s water management, development, and operational needs.
The bill confirms and quantifies the Agua Caliente Tribe’s water right to up to 20,000 acre-feet per year, allowing its use both on and off the reservation.
Approximately 1387 acres of federal land will be transferred into trust for the Tribe, subject to certain exceptions and limitations regarding gaming.
The bill establishes a 'Possessory Interest Tax' allowing the Tribe to levy a tax on property interests instead of Riverside County’s ad valorem property tax, with proceeds distributed to other public agencies.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4368(In Committee)Official page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, purposes., and 13 more.

15 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account