The bill
To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.
HR. 331, 119th Congress — read as touching Pipelines & Energy Infrastructure.
Sponsored by
Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
ID: F000469
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 331, 119th Congress — read as touching Pipelines & Energy Infrastructure.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
May 13, 2025
📍 Current Status
Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the real disease beneath.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill claims to "clarify" a provision in the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, but don't be fooled – it's just a Trojan horse for special interests. The true purpose is to grease the wheels for water rights holders to exploit existing infrastructure without additional oversight or authorization from the Secretary.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends subsection (c)(3) of the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, allowing holders of rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations to use them for aquifer recharge purposes without requiring additional approval. It also adds a notice requirement, but don't expect this to be more than a token gesture.
The real kicker is subsection (b), which waives the obligation of holders to comply with applicable Federal laws and policies of the Bureau – a blatant attempt to circumvent regulatory oversight.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: water rights holders, states, political subdivisions, Indian tribes, and public entities. But let's not forget the real stakeholders – the lobbyists and special interest groups who've been whispering in the ears of our esteemed lawmakers.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a recipe for disaster. By allowing unchecked exploitation of existing infrastructure, it will lead to:
1. Unregulated water usage, exacerbating droughts and environmental degradation. 2. Increased conflicts between competing interests, as holders of rights-of-way and easements clash over access and use. 3. Further erosion of regulatory oversight, emboldening special interests to push for more favorable treatment.
In short, this bill is a symptom of the deeper disease: corruption, cronyism, and the relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of the environment and public interest.
Diagnosis: Terminal stupidity, with a side of greed and corruption. Prognosis: bleak. Treatment: a healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong prescription of regulatory oversight and accountability.
Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No organization contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: S001148
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 37 nodes and 23 connections (41 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $67,213
Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.
Section 1(a) amends the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes, allowing holders to use existing rights-of-way without additional authorization, which could benefit energy infrastructure companies involved in water transportation and storage.
Section 1(a) mentions the use of existing infrastructure for aquifer recharge purposes, which may involve construction and engineering services to modify or expand such infrastructure.