To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

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Bill ID: 119/hr/331
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

ID: F000469

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

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 14, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

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!

Bill Summary

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.

Related Topics

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$62,200
15 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$62,200

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
WILLIAMS, LARRY
2 transactions
$6,600
2
ROOPE, CALEB
2 transactions
$6,600
3
CENTERS, JAKE
2 transactions
$6,300
4
UIHLEIN, RICHARD
2 transactions
$5,800
5
KEEN, VICKI
2 transactions
$5,000
6
ROBU, ELI
1 transaction
$3,300
7
SCOTT, JB
1 transaction
$3,300
8
VANDERSLOOT, FRANK
1 transaction
$3,300
9
TURLINGTON, SCOTT
1 transaction
$3,300
10
VANDERSLOOT, BELINDA
1 transaction
$3,300
11
BENNETT, BRETT
1 transaction
$3,300
12
WILLIAMS, MARIANNE
1 transaction
$3,300
13
RHODY, ALEX
1 transaction
$3,300
14
BOREN, JOAN
1 transaction
$3,000
15
BRINKMEYER, VICKI
1 transaction
$2,500

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2]

ID: S001148

Top Contributors

10

1
MAPETSI POLICY GROUP LLC
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Aug 14, 2023
2
LARA HERWAY
Organization BOISE, ID
$713
Nov 29, 2023
3
EASTERN BAND OF, CHEROKEE INDIANS
NATIVE AMERICAN NATION NATIVE AMERICAN NATION
Individual CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
4
EASTERN BAND OF, CHEROKEE INDIANS
NATIVE AMERICAN NATION NATIVE AMERICAN NATION
Individual CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 22, 2024
5
NATION, CHEROKEE
NATIVE AMERICAN NATION NATIVE AMERICAN NATION
Individual TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
6
VECCHIARELLI, DANIEL
LEPRINO FOODS VICE-CHAIRMAN
Individual DENVER, CO
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
7
ARNOLD, JOHN
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
8
ARNOLD, JOHN
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
9
BLUE, J. NEAL
GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL CEO
Individual LA JOLLA, CA
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
CHIPPEWA INDIAN TRIBE, SAGINAW
NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE
Individual MT PLEASANT, MI
$3,300
Oct 25, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 20 nodes and 23 connections

Total contributions: $67,213

Top Donors - Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount

15 Individuals