Bill Sponsor
House Bill 331
119th Congress(2025-2026)
To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.
Active
Active
Passed House on May 13, 2025
Overview
Text
Introduced
Jan 13, 2025
Latest Action
May 14, 2025
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
331
Congress
119
Policy Area
Water Resources Development
Water Resources Development
Primary focus of measure is the supply and use of water and control of water flows; watersheds; floods and storm protection; wetlands. Measures concerning water quality may fall under Environmental Protection policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
House Votes (1)
Senate Votes (0)
checkPassed on May 13, 2025
Status
Passed
Type
Voice Vote
Voice Vote
A vote in which the presiding officer states the question, then asks those in favor and against to say "Yea" or "Nay," respectively, and announces the result according to his or her judgment. The names or numbers of senators voting on each side are not recorded.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1969)
Summary

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 (4)
May 14, 2025
May 13, 2025
April 17, 2025
January 13, 2025
Actions (16)
05/14/2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
05/13/2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
05/13/2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1969)
05/13/2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1969)
05/13/2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 331.
05/13/2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1969-1970)
05/13/2025
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
04/17/2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 37.
04/17/2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-60.
02/12/2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
02/12/2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
02/12/2025
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
01/23/2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
01/21/2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
01/13/2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
01/13/2025
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Mar 24, 2026 12:48:03 PM