CONGANALYTICS
Bills/HR 331
HR 331In Committee

To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

Legislative Progress
Introduced
Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Both Chambers
Enacted
SummaryIntroduced in House
2025-01-13

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.

Text Versions4 versions
VersionDateFormats
Referred in Senate2025-05-14T04:00:00Z
Engrossed in House2025-05-13T04:00:00Z
Reported in House2025-04-17T04:00:00Z
Introduced in House2025-01-13T05:00:00Z
Introduced—
119th Congress
Cosponsors0
Co-sponsoring members
Policy Area—
Primary subject
Last Action2026-09-30
Committee on Energy and Natural Resource
Sponsor
No sponsor data
Legislative Subjects0 total
None assigned yet
Latest Action2026-09-30

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.