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

What it does

• •Clarifies that water right holders may use existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations for aquifer recharge purposes on behalf of states, political subdivisions, Indian Tribes, or public entities without obtaining additional authorization from the Secretary.
• •Requires holders to provide the Bureau of Land Management at least 30 days' notice before using an existing authorization for aquifer recharge, including identification of the entity, the authorization, intended use details, and a copy of any agreement.
• •Exempts non-profit aquifer recharge uses from paying additional rent to the Bureau of Land Management, but does not exempt for-profit entities or for-profit uses from rental payments.
• •Clarifies that the Act does not waive compliance with federal laws and Bureau policies, does not authorize construction or modification of infrastructure, and does not remove the need for compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Endangered Species Act, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Why it matters

• •The amendment removes barriers to using existing infrastructure for aquifer recharge, allowing states and tribes to recharge groundwater supplies through established conveyances without separate federal authorization.
• •The notice requirement creates transparency for federal land management while the exemption from additional rent for non-profit uses encourages water conservation and groundwater management by public entities.

Who is affected

• •States, political subdivisions of states, Indian Tribes, and public entities seeking to use existing water conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.
• •Holders of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, and other authorizations for water conveyance, including those constructed on public land before October 21, 1976.
• •The Bureau of Land Management, which will receive and process aquifer recharge use notices.

What happens next

This bill was reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on November 12, 2026, and awaits further Senate action.