Contact Congress about H.R. 1444: Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

The Zuni Tribe would gain secure water rights and funding for water projects. The bill would also protect land near Zuni Salt Lake from new mining. The deal could fall apart if several legal and funding steps are not finished on time.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Latest action on H.R. 1444: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects the Zuni Tribe and people who use water in the Zuni River basin. It would shape who may use the water and how the Tribe may lease it. It would also affect people and businesses that use federal land near Zuni Salt Lake. New limits would apply to mining, grazing growth, wells, rights-of-way, timber sales, and collecting natural objects.

Why this matters: The Zuni Tribe’s water rights have been uncertain for years. This bill could replace that uncertainty with a court-backed settlement and money for needed water systems. It may also reduce future lawsuits and protect water sources and sacred land near Zuni Salt Lake. The final results would depend on which projects the Tribe builds and how the water and land are managed.

Key provisions in H.R. 1444

• The Zuni Tribe would gain secure rights to water in the Zuni River system. The United States would hold the rights in trust, so non-use and state forfeiture rules could not take them away.
• The Tribe could assign or lease its settlement water on and off Zuni lands. An off-land lease could last up to 99 years but would need approval from the Interior Secretary.
• Water rights held for individual Indian landowners would stay separate from the Tribe’s settlement rights. The deal would not reduce those owners’ rights or claims.
• The bill would create the Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund. It would have one account for settlement projects and another for operation, upkeep, and replacement.
• The U.S. Treasury would transfer $655.5 million to the settlement account and $29.5 million to the upkeep account. Both amounts would be adjusted for construction costs and market changes dating back to January 1, 2022.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 1444

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 1444

What is H.R. 1444?

The Zuni Tribe would gain secure water rights and funding for water projects. The bill would also protect land near Zuni Salt Lake from new mining. The deal could fall apart if several legal and funding steps are not finished on time.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 1444?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 1444?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on H.R. 1444?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.