H.R. 1296 would amend current law and ratify a settlement agreement negotiated in 2014 between the United States and other parties in southern California including the La Jolla, Rincon, San Pasqual, Pauma, and Pala Bands of Mission Indians (collectively known as the Bands), the City of Escondido, the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority (the Authority), and the Vista Irrigation District. The 2014 settlement clarifies certain issues regarding the Bands’ water rights and the federal government’s legal responsibilities and if ratified would transfer control and ownership of the funds in the San Luis Rey Indian Trust Fund from the federal government to the Authority.
Based on information from the Department of the Interior (DOI), CBO estimates that enacting the legislation would increase net direct spending by $18 million over the 2017-2026 period; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting H.R. 1296 would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting the bill would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
H.R. 1296 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would benefit the La Jolla, Rincon, San Pasqual, Pauma, and Pala Bands of Mission Indians. Any costs to local and tribal governments would be incurred voluntarily as a result of entering into the settlement agreement ratified in the bill.
