Sen. Heinrich Introduces Bill to Settle Ohkay Owingeh Water Rights with $745 Million for New Mexico Infrastructure
The Senate must act next: a Senate floor vote.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Homeowners in and around the City of Española would benefit from $32 million in state funding for water system improvement projects. This could improve drinking water quality and reliability for residents in this small northern New Mexico city that sits adjacent to Pueblo land.
“$32,000,000, as adjusted for inflation pursuant to the Agreement, for the City of Espanola for water system improvement projects”
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 428.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-124.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation are urging Republican leaders to prioritize the funding of tribal water settlements, including the Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act, which would establish a trust fund for water infrastructure and bosque restoration.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs unanimously passed the Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act. The bill establishes a trust fund to implement a negotiated settlement between the Pueblo, the U.S., and New Mexico to resolve water claims in the Rio Chama Basin.
Ohkay Owingeh Governor Larry Phillips Jr. testified before a House subcommittee regarding the $745 million settlement. The funds are intended for groundwater wells, treatment facilities, and bosque restoration, while the Pueblo agrees to share water during dry years.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
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