Senate Passed Crow Tribe Water Rights Amendments
The legislation provides the Crow Tribe with added flexibility for water projects and extends hydropower deadlines.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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The U.S. Senate passed the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act on September 24, 2026. The bill aims to facilitate the completion of tribal water infrastructure and hydropower development.
Why it matters
The legislation grants the Crow Tribe increased flexibility to manage existing water infrastructure funds. It addresses long-standing needs for reliable water delivery and the completion of projects at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam.
The bill extends the authorization for hydropower development at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam to 20 years. It does not provide additional federal funding beyond the $460 million established in the 2010 settlement.
The players
Crow Tribe
The Crow Tribe is a federally recognized Native American nation in Montana that has worked to secure and manage its water rights.
U.S. Senate
The upper chamber of the United States Congress responsible for reviewing and passing federal legislation.
U.S. House of Representatives
The lower chamber of the United States Congress that passed the amendments prior to Senate approval.
The details
This measure allows the tribe to utilize a dedicated account for planning, building, or repairing water systems. By extending the hydropower development authorization, the law grants the tribe more time to finalize critical energy infrastructure.
Timeline
2010: Congress enacted the original Crow water rights settlement.
Week of September 17, 2026: The House of Representatives passed the bill.
September 24, 2026: The Senate passed the amendments.
2030: The extended hydropower development authorization expires.
Need to Know
This legislation updates the administrative and project-completion framework established by the 2010 Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement.
The legislation enables the continued development of critical water infrastructure and hydropower on tribal lands without requiring additional taxpayer appropriations. These changes ensure the tribe can finalize projects essential to its long-term water and energy needs.
The takeaway
This act highlights the ongoing nature of tribal water management as tribes refine the implementation of long-term infrastructure settlements. It demonstrates how legislative amendments can resolve logistical delays without altering the original financial scope of federal agreements.
What happens next
The bill now moves to the president's desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.
Further reading
For more background on federal policy shifts, visit the Legislative Policy section.
More information
Track the full text and status of the bill through congress.gov legislative records.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northern Broadcasting System - Montana, Wyoming and the Western Dakotas.
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