WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), passed the following two bills at its business meeting:
· S. 1125, the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act of 2015 (introduced by Senators Jon Tester [D-MT] and Steven Daines [R-MT]); and
· S. 1983, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act (introduced by Senators Barbara Boxer [D-CA] and Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]).
During the business meeting, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the SCIA, highlighted what each piece of legislation intended to accomplish.
“The Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act would authorize, ratify and confirm the Blackfeet-Montana water rights compact,” said Chairman Barrasso. “The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act would provide the Pechanga Band final closure to its water rights. As with most water settlements, costs can be significant. I anticipate that the budgetary impacts will remain a work in progress on both bills.”
Click here to watch the entire business meeting in full.
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