[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S1937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Schiff):
  S. 4368. A bill to approve the settlement of the water rights claims 
of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Agua Caliente 
Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act. This legislation 
would finalize this multidecade effort by the Agua Caliente Band of 
Cahuilla Indians to ensure their sovereignty over their water rights.
  The Palm Springs area east of Mt. San Jacinto is home to the Agua 
Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and has been officially set aside by 
the U.S. Government since 1876. All the land traditionally held by the 
Cahuilla people was divided into even and odd parcels between the 
Tribe, Federal Government and private landowners--creating a 
checkerboard pattern of land management.
  For over 4 years, the Tribe engaged in settlement discussions with 
the U.S. Government, Coachella Valley Water District, and Desert Water 
Agency. All parties reached a comprehensive agreement to secure the 
tribe's federally reserved water rights and promote the Tribe's 
sovereign authority over its water resources and trust lands. My bill 
would codify this agreement.
  Specifically, this bill would ratify the Tribe's federally reserved 
water right of up to 20,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater from the 
Indio Subbasin, as well as surface water rights in Tahquitz Creek, 
Andreas Creek, and Whitewater Ranch.
  In exchange for absolving the Federal Government of its liability for 
failing to protect the Tribe's water resources, the bill would 
appropriate $500 million to the Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund to 
support water infrastructure development projects, water supply 
improvements, and groundwater management and operations.
  The bill would also place 2,742 acres of Bureau of Land Management 
land into trust for the Tribe, and would authorize the Tribe to levy 
taxes on their reservation in order to provide community services.
  It is long past time for the Federal Government to live up to its 
trust and treaty responsibilities to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla 
Indians. Sovereignty over their water resources and trust land is 
essential to the continued strength of the Tribe and to ensuring its 
sustainability and viability for future generations.
  I thank Senator Schiff for cosponsoring this legislation, and I thank 
Representatives Calvert and Ruiz for introducing the companion bill in 
the House of Representatives.
  I would also like to thank the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians 
for their tireless work to finalize this settlement and the impacted 
entities for supporting this legislation, including Coachella Valley 
Water District, Desert Water Agency, County of Riverside, city of Palm 
Springs, city of Cathedral City, and city of Rancho Mirage.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Agua 
Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act as 
quickly as possible.

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