Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
In Committee
Summary
Would reauthorize and restructure the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative. The bill would tighten definitions, reshape Commission membership, and refocus the group's work on science-driven protection and restoration across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.
Show full summary
- County and local governments: County marine resources committees would get a direct voice because the Commission would have 14 members with seats tied to seven named counties. The Commission would provide technical support, advise on regional monitoring, and could use cooperative agreements with the State and nonprofits to staff and run projects.
- Tribal governments and rights: Two Interior Department representatives would coordinate with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission to represent Tribal interests. The Commission would be required to consult affected Tribal governments to avoid violating treaty rights and to expand tribal partnerships.
- Federal coordination, governance, and transparency: NOAA would supply a nonvoting liaison to attend meetings and coordinate activities with the Commission. The Commission would meet at least quarterly, publish an annual public report against defined benchmarks, accept donations, and the authority would sunset after 7 years.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New Northwest Straits advisory commission
If enacted, the bill would create the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission with normally 14 members. The commission would meet at least quarterly and have a NOAA nonvoting liaison. It would give science-based restoration advice, help county marine resource groups, and post an annual public report to the Under Secretary and to specified House and Senate committees. Reports would cover benchmarks for habitat, species, water quality, data, and outreach, including work with underresourced communities. The commission would be allowed to enter cooperative agreements, accept donations, and partner with the State for staff support. But it would be forbidden from making rules or enforcing federal law. Its authority would end seven years after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/23/2025
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 7/25/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov