To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.
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What Happened in Congress?
May 13, 2025
- HousePassed by voice vote
Where the Bill Stands
- Introduced, done
- Committee, done
- Floor Vote, done
- Outcome, current stage
What This Bill Does
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.
Sponsors
Related Documents
Timeline
- SenateCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- House floor actionsMr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Passed the House
- House floor actionsReported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-60.
- House committee actionsSubcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- House committee actionsSubcommittee Hearings Held
- House committee actionsReferred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Library of CongressIntroduced in House
- House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced
- Committee



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