Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
This legislation reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission for seven years to coordinate marine conservation and habitat restoration across northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The commission provides scientific data, guidance, and technical support to county-level marine committees and tribal governments working to restore coastal habitats and monitor water quality. It also acts as a regional forum to connect local, state, federal, and Canadian ocean initiatives, but it is explicitly prohibited from creating regulations or enforcing federal laws.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Northwest Straits county marine resources committeesCounty marine resources committees in San Juan, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, Clallam, and Jefferson counties receive the authority to appoint members to the Commission and receive technical support, resources, and regional coordination from the Commission (Sec. 2(3)(404)(a)(1) and Sec. 2(3)(405)(b)(1)-(2)).
- Tribal governments in the Northwest Straits regionTribal governments in the Northwest Straits region gain dedicated representation on the Commission, mandatory government-to-government consultation to ensure treaty rights are protected, and technical assistance if seeking participation (Sec. 2(3)(404)(a)(1)(H), Sec. 2(3)(405)(b)(7), and Sec. 2(3)(405)(c)(1)(A)).
- Marine conservation nonprofit organizationsNonprofit entities focused on marine conservation, such as the Northwest Straits Foundation, are eligible to enter into cooperative agreements with the Commission and receive technical and financial assistance (Sec. 2(3)(405)(c)(2)).
Who it burdens
- Northwest Straits Advisory CommissionThe Commission must convene at least quarterly, conduct consultations with affected Tribal governments, prepare and submit detailed annual public reports to Congress and NOAA, and operates under a seven-year statutory termination date with no authority to issue regulations (Sec. 2(3)(404)(d), Sec. 2(3)(405)(b)(7), Sec. 2(3)(405)(d)-(e), and Sec. 2(3)(406)).
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)NOAA must assign an agency employee to serve as a liaison to coordinate agency programs with the Commission and attend meetings as a nonvoting participant (Sec. 2(3)(404)(e)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 8 provisions
Establishes the membership of the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission, consisting of 14 core members appointed by local county marine resources committees, the Department of the Interior to represent Tribal governments, and the Governor of Washington, and requires the Commission to meet at least quarterly.
Directs the Commission to assist local county marine committees, gather marine ecosystem data, recommend science-based restoration projects, host public forums, and consult with affected Tribal governments to protect treaty rights.
Authorizes the Commission to enter into cooperative agreements with and provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, such as the Northwest Straits Foundation, to support marine conservation work.
Ends the Commission's legal authority seven years after the bill becomes law.
Requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to appoint an employee as a nonvoting liaison to coordinate federal programs with the Commission.
Allows the Commission to enter into agreements with the State of Washington for staff and administrative services.
Prohibits the Commission from issuing regulations or enforcing federal laws.
Requires the Commission to submit an annual public report to Congress and NOAA on its activities and progress toward habitat restoration, water quality, and community outreach goals.
Establishes the membership of the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission, consisting of 14 core members appointed by local county marine resources committees, the Department of the Interior to represent Tribal governments, and the Governor of Washington, and requires the Commission to meet at least quarterly.
Directs the Commission to assist local county marine committees, gather marine ecosystem data, recommend science-based restoration projects, host public forums, and consult with affected Tribal governments to protect treaty rights.
Authorizes the Commission to enter into cooperative agreements with and provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, such as the Northwest Straits Foundation, to support marine conservation work.
Ends the Commission's legal authority seven years after the bill becomes law.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 18 actions
- Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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).
- 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).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3810-3811)
- 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2860.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3769-3771; text: CR H3769-3770)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 376.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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).
- 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).
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 2860, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-2860. Congress.gov record as of Jul 13, 2026.