Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
Summary
The document is a bill titled "Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025." It aims to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to correct a technicality related to the water rights settlement for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. The correction involves adjusting interest payments to the Development Fund.
The bill authorizes the appropriation of $5,124,902.12 to the Secretary for deposit into the Development Fund. This adjustment is intended to ensure the proper implementation of the original water rights settlement.
The bill was introduced in the Senate and reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs without amendment.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill will be to provide additional funding to the Development Fund associated with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes' water rights settlement.
This will ensure that the tribes receive the correct amount of interest payments as originally intended by the 2009 Act. The correction clarifies the financial aspects of the settlement, potentially leading to more effective resource management for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes receive the full financial benefits of their water rights settlement.
- Provides clarity and stability to the financial arrangements of the settlement.
- Supports the economic development and resource management capabilities of the tribe.
- Rectifies a technical error in previous legislation, demonstrating governmental commitment to fulfilling agreements.
- May improve the relationship between the federal government and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The bill appropriates additional funds, which could increase the federal budget deficit, though the amount is relatively small.
- There is a potential for bureaucratic delays in the distribution of the funds.
- The focus is very narrow and may not address broader issues facing the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes beyond the water rights settlement.
- The bill itself does not create new programs or initiatives, only corrects a technicality.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the constitutional principles related to the federal government's relationship with Native American tribes. While the Constitution does not explicitly address Native American affairs, the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) has been interpreted to grant Congress broad authority over Indian affairs. Additionally, the treaty power (Article II, Section 2) supports the federal government's ability to enter into agreements with tribes.
The bill's focus on fulfilling a water rights settlement also aligns with the principle of upholding contractual obligations. By correcting a technical error and ensuring proper funding, the bill reinforces the government's commitment to honoring its agreements with Native American tribes.
Furthermore, the appropriation of funds for the Development Fund falls under Congress's power of the purse (Article I, Section 9), which grants it the authority to allocate federal funds for specific purposes.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).