25 USC 149 – Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund
(a) Establishment
There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the “Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund” (referred to in this section as the “Fund”).
(b) Deposits
(1) In general
On the later of October 1, 2021, and November 15, 2021, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Fund $2,500,000,000, to remain available until expended.
(2) Availability
Amounts deposited in the Fund under paragraph (1) shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior, without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, for the uses described in subsection (c).
(c) Uses
Terms Used In 25 USC 149
- Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
- Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
Subject to subsection (d), amounts deposited in the Fund under subsection (b) shall be used by the Secretary of the Interior for transfers to funds or accounts authorized to receive discretionary appropriations, or to satisfy other obligations identified by the Secretary of the Interior, under an Indian water settlement approved and authorized by an Act of Congress before November 15, 2021.
(d) Scope of transfers
(1) In general
Transfers authorized under subsection (c) shall be made in such amounts as are determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be appropriate to satisfy the obligations of the United States, including appropriate indexing, pursuant to the applicable Indian water settlement.
(2) Sequence and timing
The Secretary of the Interior shall have the discretion to determine the sequence and timing of transfers from the Fund under subsection (c) in order to substantially complete the eligible Indian water settlements as expeditiously as practicable.