All Roll Calls
Yes: 374 • No: 49
119-hr-2860119th Congress
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
Passed House
Summary
Would establish a defined Northwest Straits Advisory Commission to coordinate science-driven restoration and protection of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. The bill would set the Commission's membership, duties, a NOAA liaison, cooperative nonprofit and state partnerships, and a seven-year sunset.
Show full summary
- Tribal governments would have direct representation with 2 Commission seats appointed by the Secretary of the Interior in coordination with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, and the Commission must consult tribes to protect treaty rights.
- Seven county marine resources committees (San Juan, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, Clallam, Jefferson) would each name one member, giving local committees technical support and a formal voice in regional restoration planning.
- The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere would appoint a NOAA liaison to align federal programs with Commission goals, and the Commission could partner with the State of Washington and nonprofits for staffing and financial assistance.
- The Commission would collect regional marine data, develop science-based restoration recommendations, track benchmarks for habitat, species, and water quality, and publish an annual report to Congress and the Under Secretary.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Advisory commission for Northwest Straits
If enacted, the bill would create a 14-member advisory commission for the Northwest Straits region. County marine resources committees for San Juan, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, Clallam, and Jefferson Counties would each choose one member by consensus. The Secretary of the Interior would appoint two Tribal representatives in coordination with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, and the Governor would appoint one Puget Sound Partnership member and four Washington residents who are not government employees. The commission would meet at least quarterly and a NOAA employee would serve as a nonvoting liaison to coordinate programs. The bill would define key terms and make clear the commission would have no regulatory power.
Regional monitoring, outreach, and partnerships
The commission would support county marine resources committees and work with Federal, State, local, and Tribal partners to monitor the region’s marine health. It would collect data, flag barriers to ecosystem and coastal economic recovery, and recommend science-based restoration actions based on local priorities. It would serve as a public forum, inform communities, and consult affected Tribal governments to avoid violating treaty rights. The commission would be able to get staffing help from Washington State and assistance, including funding, from nonprofits like the Northwest Straits Foundation. Each year it would publish a public report to Congress and NOAA on progress toward benchmarks like habitat and water quality, healthy marine populations, high‑quality monitoring data, and outreach to underresourced communities.
Seven-year sunset on program
The commission’s authority would end seven years after enactment unless Congress reauthorizes it. After that date, its advisory, coordination, and reporting work would stop. This would set a fixed timeline for the program.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]
WA • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
WA • D
Sponsored 7/25/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 6/3/2026
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Yes: 374 • No: 49