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S 546

Celia S. Price

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Margie Bright Matthews

Authorizes a $5,124,902.12 appropriation to the Duck Valley Settlement Development Fund to pay pre-enforceability interest, correcting an inequity.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · S 546

Summary — S. 546 (materials provided)

Note on materials: The documents you provided include two different pieces labeled “S. 546.” The primary federal document (Senate Report 119–94) and accompanying bill text concern a technical correction to the Shoshone‑Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act. A separate state‑level draft (Massachusetts Senate Docket No. 546) addresses the Quabbin Reservoir/host community trust fund. Below are concise, separate summaries of each, with emphasis on the federal S. 546 (the subject of S. Rept. 119–94).

A. Federal S. 546 — “Technical Correction to the Shoshone‑Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025”

Purpose and intent

To correct an inequity in the 2009 Duck Valley water settlement by authorizing appropriation of unpaid interest that would have accrued on settlement trust funds deposited between October 1, 2009 and January 25, 2016, had interest accrual been permitted.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes the appropriation of $5,124,902.12 to be deposited into the Settlement Act’s Development Fund.
  • Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to effect this payment.
  • Provides parity with other Indian water settlements that allow interest accrual prior to the settlement “enforceability” date.

Background / rationale

  • The 2009 Settlement Act allocated $60 million to two trust funds for the Shoshone‑Paiute Tribes (Duck Valley Reservation): $45 million to a Development Fund and $15 million to a Maintenance Fund (FY2010–2014).
  • The Department of the Interior invested the funds but, after publishing an “enforceability” date of January 25, 2016, withdrew interest earned before that date and deposited it in the Treasury.
  • The Tribe and Committee note this pre‑enforceability prohibition on interest accrual is unusual and that the Department supports reimbursement in the limited number of cases affected.

Who is affected

  • Shoshone‑Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation (primary beneficiary).
  • Department of the Interior (administrative implementation).
  • Federal budgetary accounts (appropriation of $5,124,902.12).

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced Feb 12, 2025 by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (cosponsors: Crapo, Risch, Rosen).
  • Reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (S. Rept. 119–94) on Nov 4, 2025, without amendment; placed on Senate legislative calendar (Calendar No. 261).
  • The report includes a Congressional Budget Office cost estimate (referenced in report).

B. Massachusetts Senate Docket No. 546 (state draft included in materials)

Purpose

Establishes a “Quabbin Host Community Trust Fund” and related changes to support Quabbin Reservoir watershed communities and to govern representation and interbasin transfer evaluations.

Key provisions (highlights)

  • Creates Quabbin Host Community Trust Fund (Chapter 10, new §35TTT) to be used by the Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs for municipal services, public safety, and development in Quabbin watershed communities.
  • Requires annual deposit of $35,000,000 from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (indexed to inflation).
  • Spending rules: at least 90% of deposits must be spent each fiscal year; at least 70% of expenditures to watershed municipalities; up to 25% to nonprofits serving impacted communities; up to 5% for certain water infrastructure projects.
  • Changes board membership and term limits for related entities; mandates a water‑system expansion evaluation by Dec 31, 2026 and delays interbasin transfers until completion; Section 1 effective Jan 1, 2026.

Sponsors / petitioners (state draft)

  • Joanne M. Comerford (primary petitioner) with Jacob R. Oliveira and Peter J. Durant.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a legislative implications brief focused on budgetary impact and federal appropriations scoring for the federal S. 546; or
- Draft a one‑page explainer targeted to affected tribal stakeholders or to Quabbin watershed communities about the state draft.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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