119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 4970

Orland Project Water Management Act

In Committee

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

This bill modifies the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to allow for the transfer of water from the Orland Project to the Central Valley Project. Specifically, it creates an exception for the Secretary of the Interior to make water available to the Sacramento Canal Unit of the Central Valley Project upon request from the Orland Unit Water Users Association, provided it aligns with the Central Valley Project’s goals. The bill includes provisions to protect existing water rights and prevent negative impacts on the Orland Project. It aims to address water scarcity in the Central Valley by utilizing water resources from the Orland Project.

Key provisions

Allows the Secretary of the Interior to transfer water from the Orland Project.
Requires requests for water transfers to come from the Orland Unit Water Users Association.
The transfer can occur regardless of the water year type.
The transfer must align with the Central Valley Project’s objectives.
Protects existing water rights.
Prevents redirection of impacts to the Orland Project.
Addresses drought conditions in the Central Valley.

Who is affected

Orland Unit Water Users Association
Central Valley Project
Sacramento Canal Unit
The Secretary of the Interior
California residents reliant on the Central Valley Project

Notable changes

Creates a specific mechanism for water transfer between the Orland and Central Valley Projects.

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

Reasons to support this legislation.

No arguments in favor have been submitted.

Submit yours

Arguments opposed

Reasons to oppose this legislation.

No arguments opposed have been submitted.

Submit yours

Legislative history

2025-08-15House

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

2025-08-15

Introduced in House

2025-08-15

Introduced in House

2025-08-29House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

7/16/2026HouseUnanimous consent
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Gallagher asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 4970, a bill originally introduced by Representative LaMalfa, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

7/16/2026HouseUnanimous consent
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Gallagher asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 4970, a bill originally introduced by Representative LaMalfa, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.

Aug 15, 2025XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 1st Session

H. R. 4970

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to facilitate the transfer of water from the Orland Project to the Central Valley Project.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Orland Project Water Management Act

2.Amendment to Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991

Section 104 of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 (43 U.S.C. 2214) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d) respectively;

(2)

by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

(b)ExceptionThe Secretary may make available, upon the request of the Orland Unit Water Users Association and through the programs and authorities established under this title, water from the Orland Project to the Sacramento Canal Unit of the Central Valley Project at any time, without regard to water year type, if the Secretary determines that such action is consistent with the purposes of the Central Valley Project.

; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(e)Rules of constructionNothing in this section may be construed to—

(1)

be a new or supplemental benefit for the purposes of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (43 U.S.C. 390aa et seq.);

(2)

affect any valid or vested water right in existence as of the date of the enactment of this subsection;

(3)

affect any application for water rights pending before the date of the enactment of this subsection; or

(4)

result in any redirected impacts to the Orland Project from a temporary contract for the supply of water executed under this section.

HR 4970

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Positions across the country

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Passage without roll call

Floor votes and chamber actions

Passage without roll call

Bill text

Positions across the country

Passage without roll call

Floor votes and chamber actions

Passage without roll call