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Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2860| House 
| Updated: 1/12/2026
Rick Larsen

Rick Larsen

Democratic Representative

Washington

Cosponsors (6)
Kim Schrier (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025, aims to reauthorize and amend the existing Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act. Its core purpose is to protect and restore the marine waters, habitats, and species within the Northwest Straits region of Puget Sound, recognizing its significant environmental and economic value. The legislation acknowledges the historical decline in environmental health, including impaired water quality, marine wildlife declines, habitat loss, ocean acidification, and sea level rise, emphasizing the need for continued citizen stewardship and local action. The reauthorization restructures the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission , detailing its composition with 14 members appointed from various county marine resources committees, Tribal governments, and the State of Washington. The Commission's goal is to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use by designing science-driven projects, building awareness, fostering collaboration with partners like the Puget Sound Partnership, and expanding partnerships with Tribal governments while respecting treaty rights. Its duties include providing resources and technical support to marine resources committees, monitoring marine ecosystem health, collecting data, developing restoration recommendations, and serving as a public forum. The bill authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to carry out the initiative. This funding will support the Commission's duties, potentially through a contract with the Director of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Commission is also required to submit annual reports detailing its activities and progress towards benchmarks such as habitat protection, species restoration, water quality improvement, data collection, and promoting marine resource stewardship through education and outreach, including to underresourced communities.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8783
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2024
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 13, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
May 20, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jul 15, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 15, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Jul 15, 2025
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
Sep 29, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1433
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-67.
Jan 12, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 376.
Jan 12, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8783
    Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2024


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • May 13, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.


  • May 20, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • July 15, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • July 15, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.


  • July 15, 2025
    Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged


  • September 29, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1433
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-67.


  • January 12, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 376.


  • January 12, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 119-1433: Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
Advisory bodiesAquatic ecologyEcologyEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchIntergovernmental relationsMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesPacific OceanSeashores and lakeshoresState and local government operationsWashington StateWater qualityWetlandsWildlife conservation and habitat protection

Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2860| House 
| Updated: 1/12/2026
This bill, titled the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025, aims to reauthorize and amend the existing Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act. Its core purpose is to protect and restore the marine waters, habitats, and species within the Northwest Straits region of Puget Sound, recognizing its significant environmental and economic value. The legislation acknowledges the historical decline in environmental health, including impaired water quality, marine wildlife declines, habitat loss, ocean acidification, and sea level rise, emphasizing the need for continued citizen stewardship and local action. The reauthorization restructures the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission , detailing its composition with 14 members appointed from various county marine resources committees, Tribal governments, and the State of Washington. The Commission's goal is to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use by designing science-driven projects, building awareness, fostering collaboration with partners like the Puget Sound Partnership, and expanding partnerships with Tribal governments while respecting treaty rights. Its duties include providing resources and technical support to marine resources committees, monitoring marine ecosystem health, collecting data, developing restoration recommendations, and serving as a public forum. The bill authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to carry out the initiative. This funding will support the Commission's duties, potentially through a contract with the Director of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Commission is also required to submit annual reports detailing its activities and progress towards benchmarks such as habitat protection, species restoration, water quality improvement, data collection, and promoting marine resource stewardship through education and outreach, including to underresourced communities.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8783
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2024
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 13, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
May 20, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jul 15, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 15, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Jul 15, 2025
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
Sep 29, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1433
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-67.
Jan 12, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 376.
Jan 12, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8783
    Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2024


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • May 13, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.


  • May 20, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • July 15, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • July 15, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.


  • July 15, 2025
    Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged


  • September 29, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1433
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-67.


  • January 12, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 376.


  • January 12, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.
Rick Larsen

Rick Larsen

Democratic Representative

Washington

Cosponsors (6)
Kim Schrier (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 119-1433: Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesAquatic ecologyEcologyEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchIntergovernmental relationsMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesPacific OceanSeashores and lakeshoresState and local government operationsWashington StateWater qualityWetlandsWildlife conservation and habitat protection