The Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes Water Compact took one step closer to ratification yesterday, as the Montana Senate voted 31-19 to approve S.B. 262 and send it to the House for final passage.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Chas Vincent of Libby,  represents the results of longstanding and often combative negotiations between the tribes and state and federal governments regarding water rights for the Flathead Reservation.

“I am pleased with the bipartisan support the compact received from the Senate. I think that we will continue to see support for the compact grow as it moves to the House and members of the Legislature are made aware of the benefits that the compact would have for the people of Montana,” Vincent said in a prepared statement.

The bill was passed just short of the transmittal deadline, the date by which general bills must be passed by one body and sent to the other for consideration. That deadline is Feb. 27.

The bill could be scheduled for committee consideration in the House as early as next week, once the Legislature reconvenes from the transmittal break, the halfway point in the legislative session.

Vincent said he expects final passage of the bill by the House. “I think the votes are there,” he said. “It’s going to be an uphill battle, though.”

Although the bill passed the Senate and Vincent expects final approval by the House, opposition has been strong and vocal. That opposition hasn’t deterred Vincent from following through with his work as chair of the Senate interim water policy committee and fighting for the compact.

“I ran for office to engage in policy positions that are important to the place I call home, and to be informed when I make decisions that are critical to our area’s future. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t feel it was the right thing for all Montana’s citizens as well, because this must work for everyone,” Vincent said