US HB1444

Settles water rights claims of the Zuni Indian Tribe in the Zuni River Stream System in New Mexico by authorizing, ratifying, and confirming a May 2023 settlement agreement between the Tribe, State of New Mexico, and other parties

Establishes the Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund with $655.5 million for water infrastructure and $29.5 million for operations, maintenance, and replacement, subject to cost adjustments for inflation

Tribal Water Rights held in trust by the United States cannot be lost through non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment; the Tribe may lease water rights for up to 99 years both on and off Zuni Lands

Protects the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary by withdrawing approximately 92,364 acres of federal land from mineral entry, leasing, and disposal, with restrictions on motor vehicles, water wells, grazing increases, and new rights-of-way

Transfers federal land designated as "Tribal Acquisition Area" into trust for the Tribe on the Enforceability Date, and requires the State to contribute $1.25 million for monitoring plans and groundwater impairment mitigation