introduced bipartisan legislation that will make technical amendments to the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act
Support technical amendments to the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act to update the settlement for current trust lands and water-quality needs.
Occurrences
Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), alongside Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41), and Senator Alex Padilla (CA) introduced bipartisan legislation that will make technical amendments to the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act.
Evidence
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By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. SCHIFF): S. 4417. A bill to amend the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act to make technical corrections, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.... "This bill would update the agreement’s definition of ‘Reservation’ to allow the Tribe to use their water rights on any current and future trust lands. The bill would also expand the possible uses of the water quality fund to include any water quality improvement activities, such as addressing PFAS and other emerging contaminants." Rep. Issa is named as introducing companion legislation in the House.
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May 1, 2026: "Representatives Issa, Calvert, and Senator Padilla Introduce Pechanga Water Settlement Amendment Bill" and the page states that Congressman Darrell Issa, alongside Congressman Ken Calvert and Senator Alex Padilla, introduced bipartisan legislation that will make technical amendments to the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act.
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Last Action Date Listed: April 28, 2026. Action: "Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Schiff) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs." Full title: "To amend the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act to make technical corrections, and for other purposes."
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GovInfo lists H.R. 8546 as introduced by Mr. Issa for himself and Mr. Calvert and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The full title is to amend the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act to make technical corrections.
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Issa's office said he, Ken Calvert, and Alex Padilla introduced bipartisan legislation to make technical amendments to the Pechanga water-rights settlement. The release says the amendments would add additional trust land in the Santa Margarita River Watershed to the reservation and expand Pechanga's ability to address water-quality issues in the Wolf Valley Basin.
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The Congressional Record states: By Mr. ISSA, H.R. 8546, a bill to amend the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act to make technical corrections, referred to Natural Resources. In Senate remarks on S. 4417, Padilla said the bill would update the definition of Reservation for current and future trust lands and expand the water quality fund for water-quality improvement activities such as PFAS and emerging contaminants.
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GovInfo lists S. 4417 as introduced by Senator Padilla for himself and Senator Schiff and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. The last action date listed is April 28, 2026, with no later action shown on the content details page.
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H.R. 8546 (Rep. Issa), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act”
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S. 4417 would make two discrete changes to the 2016 Act to aid in its implementation. First, S. 4417 would amend the definition of “Reservation” to include those lands identified in the 2016 Act, contiguous lands that have since been taken into trust for the benefit of the Tribe, and any contiguous lands taken into trust on behalf of the Tribe in the future. This amendment will extend the benefits and compromises in the 2016 Act to any contiguous lands taken into trust since enactment of the 2016 Act. Second, S. 4417 would also expand the eligible uses of the Pechanga Water Quality Account beyond desalination to include activities to address other water quality issues requiring treatment in the Wolf Valley Basin. This amendment will allow the Tribe to use the settlement fund to address water quality concerns without increasing the Federal contribution toward the settlement. The Department supports S. 4417.
verified · Source version 64973 · locator 7973
H.R. 8546 would make two discrete changes to the 2016 Act to aid in its implementation. First, H.R. 8546 would amend the definition of “Reservation” to include those lands identified in the 2016 Act, contiguous lands that have since been taken into trust for the benefit of the Tribe, and any contiguous lands taken into trust on behalf of the Tribe in the future. This amendment will extend the benefits and compromises in the 2016 Act to any contiguous lands taken into trust since enactment of the 2016 Act. Second, H.R. 8546 would also expand the eligible uses of the Pechanga Water Quality Account beyond desalination to include activities to address other water quality issues requiring treatment in the Wolf Valley Basin. This amendment will allow the Tribe to use the settlement fund to address water quality concerns without increasing the Federal contribution toward the settlement. The Department supports H.R. 8546.
Assessments
Issa materially fulfilled the promise because the commitment was to support technical amendments, not necessarily secure enactment. Official records and his office release show he sponsored/introduced H.R. 8546 in the 119th Congress to amend the Pechanga settlement, including updates for current/future trust lands and broader water-quality needs. The bill had not passed, but introduction and sponsorship satisfy the promised support in the same federal term.
The promise was to support technical amendments to the Pechanga water-rights settlement, not necessarily to secure final enactment. The evidence shows Issa publicly backed the effort and introduced companion House legislation in 2026 alongside other members, directly advancing the requested updates for current trust lands and expanded water-quality uses. Because his own official actions match the promised support during his current federal term, this is best scored as delivered even though the bill had not yet passed.
The evidence shows Darrell Issa supported and materially advanced the promise by introducing or joining companion House legislation in 2026 to make the requested technical amendments to the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act, including updates for current trust lands and broader water-quality uses. However, the cited record only shows introduction and referral of the Senate bill, with no evidence that the House companion or the overall amendment measure was enacted or otherwise completed. Because there is clear action but no confirmed final policy outcome yet, the promise is best scored as unresolved rather than delivered or partial.