Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2860
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-04: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T14:21:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This Act reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative to promote the protection and restoration of marine waters, habitats, and species in the Northwest Straits region of Washington State.
Key Provisions
- Renames the bill the "Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025."
- Updates the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act by removing outdated sections and adding new sections on definitions, commission membership, goals, and duties.
- Establishes the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission with 14 members appointed from seven county marine resources committees, two tribal representatives, one Puget Sound Partnership representative, and four at-large members from Washington State.
- Creates a goal focused on ecosystem health through science-based projects, stewardship, tribal partnerships, and recognition of economic benefits.
- Outlines commission duties including technical support for local committees, data collection, development of restoration recommendations, public forums, and annual reporting on benchmarks such as habitat protection and water quality improvement.
- Requires coordination with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, with a NOAA liaison and possible cooperative agreements.
- Limits the commission to advisory functions only, with no authority to issue regulations.
- Sets a 7-year sunset for the authority.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Replaces prior commission structure and sections with new definitions (including "marine resources committee," "Northwest Straits region," and "Tribal government") and an expanded membership model.
- Introduces explicit benchmarks for measuring progress and an annual reporting requirement to Congress and the Under Secretary of Commerce.
- Adds provisions for tribal consultation and a dedicated NOAA liaison to improve coordination.
Potential Impacts
- Supports ongoing marine ecosystem monitoring and restoration efforts in the Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca areas through local and tribal involvement.
- Affects federal agencies such as NOAA by requiring liaison support and coordination.
- Influences state and county governments in Washington by formalizing roles for marine resources committees and the Puget Sound Partnership.
- May affect international relations indirectly through discussions involving the Government of Canada on shared marine policies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Seven Washington counties (San Juan, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, Clallam, and Jefferson) via their marine resources committees.
- Tribal governments in the region.
- The State of Washington, including the Governor and Puget Sound Partnership.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Commerce.
- Local communities and nonprofit partners in the Northwest Straits region.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Emphasizes voluntary collaboration without granting regulatory power to the commission.
- Includes explicit requirements to consult with tribal governments and avoid violating treaty rights.
- Maintains a non-regulatory, advisory role that relies on consensus-based appointments and public reporting.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-04: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
- 2026-06-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-06-03: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 374 - 49 (Roll no. 196). (Roll call 196)
- 2026-06-03: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 374 - 49 (Roll no. 196). (Roll call 196)
- 2026-06-03: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3810-3811)
- 2026-06-02: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2026-06-02: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2860.
- 2026-06-02: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3769-3771; text: CR H3769-3770)
- 2026-06-02: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2026-01-12: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 376.
- 2026-01-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.
- 2026-01-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.
- 2025-07-15: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-15: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-07-15: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
Bill Versions
- Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2026-06-03 — PDF (14 pages)
- Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (14 pages)
- Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2026-06-04 — PDF (14 pages)
- Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (14 pages)