H.R. 302 Reported by committee Public Lands and Natural Resources

Water Rights Protection Act

To prohibit the conditioning of any permit, lease, or other use agreement on the transfer of any water right to the United States by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2] Introduced January 9, 2025 Cosponsors 6 (6 R) Latest action November 25, 2025

Summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Nov 25, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 334.
  2. Nov 25, 2025 Committee on Agriculture discharged.
  3. Nov 25, 2025 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-384, Part I.
  4. Feb 14, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
  5. Feb 12, 2025 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 16.
  6. Feb 12, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  7. 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.
  8. Jan 9, 2025 Introduced in House

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