This bill updates a 2010 water rights agreement between the Crow Tribe of Montana and the state of Montana. It creates new funding accounts for irrigation and water system projects on the Crow Reservation, changes how water infrastructure funds must be used, and extends the tribe's right to build hydropower facilities at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam through 2030. The Senate passed it by unanimous consent in September 2026.
Federal water rights settlements can affect how water resources are managed across regions. This bill changes funding rules and extends tribal hydropower rights, which may influence national water and energy policy discussions.
