Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 831
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-17: Received in the Senate.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-18T10:56:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation amends existing law to create a dedicated, interest-bearing account in the U.S. Treasury for non-Federal contributions to the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. The program aims to protect multiple species of plants and animals along the Lower Colorado River while allowing for water use and development. The amendment improves how these contributions are managed, stored, and used, ensuring they earn interest and are protected from losses.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "Agreement" refers to the 2005 "Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Funding and Management Agreement."
- "Fund" is the new "Non-Federal Funding Account for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program."
- "Non-Federal contribution" means money provided by state parties (non-federal entities) to cover their share of program costs under the Agreement.
- "State Party" means entities defined in the Agreement, typically states like Arizona, California, and Nevada involved in the program.
- Establishment of the Fund:
- Creates a fund in the U.S. Treasury containing deposited non-Federal contributions (past unspent amounts and future ones) plus any interest earned on investments.
- Deposits and Availability:
- The Secretary of the Treasury must deposit unexpended past contributions (before enactment) and all future contributions into the Fund.
- Principal amounts (original contributions) are available to the Secretary (likely of the Interior) for program use without needing additional congressional approval (appropriation), following the program's rules.
- Interest earned is available for the same uses but requires congressional appropriation.
- Investment:
- The Treasury Secretary can invest excess Fund amounts in safe, interest-bearing U.S. government obligations (like bonds).
- Transfers:
- Past contributions transfer from the general Treasury fund to the new Fund within 90 days of enactment.
- Future contributions transfer as soon as possible after receipt.
- State parties are not liable for any investment losses, per the Agreement.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This amends Section 9402 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 by adding a new subsection (c). Previously, non-Federal contributions were managed without a dedicated interest-bearing account, potentially limiting their growth and efficiency. The change introduces interest earnings, protects against losses for contributors, and streamlines fund availability without always needing new appropriations for the principal.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of the Interior (overseeing the program) gains easier access to funds for conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration and species protection. The Treasury handles investments, reducing administrative burdens.
- Citizens: Improves long-term funding for environmental protection along the Colorado River, benefiting communities reliant on the river for water, agriculture, and recreation. It may indirectly support sustainable water management amid shortages.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the program involves shared U.S.-Mexico river resources; better funding could enhance cross-border conservation cooperation under existing treaties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State Parties: Primarily Arizona, California, and Nevada, which provide non-Federal contributions and benefit from interest earnings and loss protection.
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Department of the Interior (program manager) and Department of the Treasury (fund custodian).
- Environmental and Water Users: Conservation groups, wildlife advocates, farmers, and urban water districts along the Lower Colorado River, who rely on the program for balancing ecology and human needs.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through Treasury management and potential appropriations for interest use.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens compliance with the 2005 Agreement by formalizing fund management in federal law, reducing disputes over contributions. No new liabilities for the government; emphasizes existing program documents for expenditures.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal spending and Treasury operations (Article I, Section 9). The "without further appropriation" clause for principal is standard for trust-like funds but ensures accountability via program rules.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan environmental and water policy goals in the arid Southwest, potentially easing tensions over federal-state funding shares. It avoids creating new spending by repurposing existing contributions, making it fiscally neutral.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-17: Received in the Senate.
- 2026-03-16: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-03-16: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2527)
- 2026-03-16: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2527)
- 2026-03-16: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 831.
- 2026-03-16: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2527-2529)
- 2026-03-16: Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-09-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 234.
- 2025-09-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-278.
- 2025-09-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-278.
- 2025-07-15: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-15: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025 — issued 2026-03-16 — PDF (6 pages)
- Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-31 — PDF (5 pages)
- Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (8 pages)