119-hr2860

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2860 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 2860

To reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act 
 to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits, 
 and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 April 10, 2025

 Mr. Larsen of Washington (for himself and Ms. Randall) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
 Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act 
 to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits, 
 and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Northwest Straits Marine 
Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF NORTHWEST STRAITS MARINE CONSERVATION 
 INITIATIVE ACT.

 The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act (title IV 
of Public Law 105-384; 112 Stat. 3458) is amended--

    (1) in 

section 402, by striking ``Commission (in this title 
 referred to as the `Commission').'' and inserting 
 ``Commission.''; and

    (2) by striking sections 403, 404, and 405 and inserting 
 the following:

``

SEC. 403. FINDINGS.

 ``Congress makes the following findings:
 ``

    (1) The marine waters and ecosystem of the Northwest 
 Straits in Puget Sound in the State of Washington represent a 
 unique resource of enormous environmental and economic value to 
 the people of the United States.
 ``

    (2) During the 20th century, the environmental health of 
 the Northwest Straits declined dramatically as indicated by 
 impaired water quality, declines in marine wildlife, collapse 
 of harvestable marine species, loss of critical marine 
 habitats, ocean acidification, and sea level rise.
 ``

    (3) Increasingly, the Northwest Straits have been 
 threatened by sea level rise, ocean acidification, and other 
 effects of climate change.
 ``

    (4) This title was enacted to tap the unprecedented level 
 of citizen stewardship demonstrated in the Northwest Straits 
 and create a mechanism to mobilize public support and raise 
 capacity for local efforts to protect and restore the ecosystem 
 of the Northwest Straits.
 ``

    (5) The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative 
 helps the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and 
 other Federal agencies with their marine missions by fostering 
 local interest in marine issues and involving diverse 
 communities.
 ``

    (6) The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative 
 shares many of the same goals with the National Oceanic and 
 Atmospheric Administration, including fostering citizen 
 stewardship of marine resources, general ecosystem management, 
 and protecting federally managed marine species.
 ``

    (7) Ocean literacy, kelp habitat conservation and 
 monitoring, Veterans Conservation Corps internships, and 
 removal of marine debris projects are examples of previous and 
 ongoing partnerships between the Northwest Straits Marine 
 Conservation Initiative and the National Oceanic and 
 Atmospheric Administration. Areas of partnership may evolve 
 with emerging opportunities.

``

SEC. 404. DEFINITIONS.

 ``In this title:
 ``

    (1) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the 
 Northwest Straits Advisory Commission established by 

section 402.
 ``

    (2) Marine resources committee.--The term `marine 
 resources committee' means a county government committee that 
 assists in assessing marine resource and conservation needs.
 ``

    (3) Northwest straits region.--The term `Northwest 
 Straits region' means the marine waters of the Strait of Juan 
 de Fuca and of Puget Sound from the Canadian border to the 
 south end of Snohomish County.
 ``

    (4) Tribal government.--The term `Tribal government' 
 means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska 
 Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, 
 component band, or component reservation individually 
 identified (including parenthetically) in the list published 
 most recently as of the date of enactment of the Northwest 
 Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 
 2025 pursuant to 

section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian 
 Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).
 ``

    (5) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means 
 the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

``

SEC. 405. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION.

 ``

    (a) Composition.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 14 
 members, except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , who shall be 
 appointed as follows:
 ``
        (A) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
 members of a marine resources committee for San Juan 
 County, Washington.
 ``
        (B) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
 members of a marine resources committee for Island 
 County, Washington.
 ``
            (C) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
 members of a marine resources committee for Skagit 
 County, Washington.
 ``
            (D) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
 members of a marine resources committee for Whatcom 
 County, Washington.
 ``
        (E) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
 members of a marine resources committee for Snohomish 
 County, Washington.
 ``
        (F) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
 members of a marine resources committee for Clallam 
 County, Washington.
 ``
        (G) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
 members of a marine resources committee for Jefferson 
 County, Washington.
 ``
        (H) Two members appointed by the Secretary of the 
 Interior, in coordination with the Northwest Indian 
 Fisheries Commission and in consultation with the 
 Tribal governments affected by this title, to represent 
 the interests of such Tribal governments.
 ``
            (I) One member appointed by the Governor of the 
 State of Washington to represent the interests of the 
 Puget Sound Partnership.
 ``
        (J) Four members appointed by the Governor of the 
 State of Washington who--
 ``
            (i) are residents of the State of 
 Washington; and
 ``
            (ii) are not employed by a Federal, 
 State, or local government, excluding an 
 institution of higher education.
 ``

    (2) Additional members.--The Commission may, as 
 determined necessary to improve the ability of the Commission 
 to perform the duties of the Commission under 

section 406

    (b) , 
 appoint members in addition to those appointed under paragraph

    (1) . Any such additional member shall be appointed by a 
 consensus of the members of a marine resources committee that 
 is not described in such paragraph.
 ``

    (b) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in 
the manner in which the original appointment was made.
 ``
            (c) Chairperson.--The Commission shall select a Chairperson from 
among its members.
 ``
            (d) Meeting.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairperson, but not less frequently than quarterly.
 ``

    (e) Liaison.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in consultation 
 with the Commission, shall appoint an employee of the National 
 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--
 ``
        (A) to serve as a liaison between the Commission 
 and the Department of Commerce;
 ``
        (B) to coordinate programs of the National 
 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with activities 
 related to the goal of the Commission described in 
 

section 406

    (a) ; and
 ``
            (C) to perform additional liaison functions 
 benefitting the Commission and the National Oceanic and 
 Atmospheric Administration, which may include, as 
 agreed to by the Commission and the National Oceanic 
 and Atmospheric Administration, attending meetings and 
 other events of the Commission as a nonvoting 
 participant.
 ``

    (2) Limitation.--Service as a member of the Commission by 
 the employee appointed under paragraph

    (1) --
 ``
        (A) is limited to the employee's service as a 
 liaison; and
 ``
        (B) does not obligate the employee to perform any 
 duty of the Commission under 

section 406

    (b) .
 ``

    (f) Administration.--The Commission may enter into cooperative 
agreements with the State of Washington for staffing and administrative 
services for the purposes of supporting the duties of the Commission 
under 

section 406

    (b) .

``

SEC. 406. GOAL AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

 ``

    (a) Goal.--The goal of the Commission is to protect and restore 
the marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits 
region to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use by--
 ``

    (1) designing and recommending projects that are driven 
 by the best available science, local priorities, community-
 based decisions, and the ability to measure results;
 ``

    (2) building awareness and stewardship and making 
 recommendations to improve the health of the marine resources 
 of the Northwest Straits region;
 ``

    (3) maintaining and expanding diverse membership and 
 collaboration with partner organizations, such as the Puget 
 Sound Partnership;
 ``

    (4) expanding partnerships with Tribal governments and 
 continuing to support Tribal treaties, cultures, and 
 subsistence and Tribal treaty rights; and
 ``

    (5) recognizing the importance of economic and social 
 benefits that are dependent on marine environments and 
 sustainable marine resources.
 ``

    (b) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are the following:
 ``

    (1) To provide resources and technical support for marine 
 resources committees.
 ``

    (2) To work with such marine resources committees and 
 appropriate entities of Federal, State, and local governments 
 and Tribal governments to provide advice in developing regional 
 programs to monitor the overall health of the marine ecosystem 
 of the Northwest Straits region.
 ``

    (3) To collect marine resources data and identify factors 
 adversely affecting or preventing the restoration of the health 
 of the marine ecosystem and coastal economies of the Northwest 
 Straits region to inform decisionmakers.
 ``

    (4) To develop scientifically sound restoration and 
 protection recommendations, informed by local priorities, that 
 address such factors.
 ``

    (5) To serve as a public forum for the informal 
 discussion of policies and actions, with respect to the marine 
 ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region, of Federal, State, 
 or local governments, Tribal governments, or the Government of 
 Canada.
 ``

    (6) To inform appropriate authorities and local 
 communities about the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits 
 region and about issues relating to the marine ecosystem of the 
 Northwest Straits region.
 ``

    (7) To consult with all affected Tribal governments in 
 the Northwest Straits region to ensure that the work of the 
 Commission does not violate Tribal treaty rights.
 ``
            (c) Coordination and Collaboration.--The Commission--
 ``

    (1) shall carry out the duties described in subsection

    (b) in coordination and collaboration, as appropriate, with 
 Federal, State, and local governments and Tribal governments, 
 including by--
 ``
        (A) providing technical support and assistance to 
 any Tribal government seeking representation and 
 participation on the Commission; and
 ``
        (B) supporting the work and duties of the liaison 
 to the Commission under 

section 405

    (e) ; and
 ``

    (2) may enter into cooperative agreements with nonprofit 
 entities, such as the Northwest Straits Foundation, to provide 
 assistance, including financial assistance, in carrying out the 
 duties described in subsection

    (b) .
 ``
            (d) Limitations.--Nothing in this title provides the Commission 
with authority to issue regulations or implement any Federal law or 
regulation.
 ``

    (e) Acceptance of Donations.--For purposes of carrying out this 
section, the Commission may solicit, accept, receive, hold, administer, 
and use gifts, devises, and bequests without any further approval or 
administrative action.
 ``

    (f) Annual Report.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Each year, the Commission shall prepare, 
 submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
 Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
 Senate, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on 
 Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Under 
 Secretary, and make available to the public a report 
 describing--
 ``
        (A) the activities carried out by the Commission 
 during the preceding year; and
 ``
        (B) the progress in achieving the benchmarks 
 described in paragraph

    (2) .
 ``

    (2) Benchmarks.--The benchmarks described in this 
 paragraph are the following:
 ``
        (A) Protection and restoration of marine, 
 coastal, and nearshore habitats within the Northwest 
 Straits region.
 ``
        (B) Protection and restoration of marine 
 resources populations to healthy, sustainable levels.
 ``
            (C) Improvement of the water quality of the 
 Northwest Straits region.
 ``
            (D) Collection of high-quality data and promotion 
 of the use and dissemination of such data for the 
 purposes of ecosystem monitoring.
 ``
        (E) Promotion of stewardship and understanding of 
 marine resources of the Northwest Straits region 
 through education and outreach, including by targeted 
 outreach to underresourced communities.

``

SEC. 407. FUNDING.

 ``

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Under Secretary to carry out this title--
 ``

    (1) for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031, 
 $10,000,000; and
 ``

    (2) for fiscal year 2032 and each fiscal year thereafter, 
 such sums as may be necessary.
 ``

    (b) Assistance.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Under Secretary may, from amounts 
 made available to the Under Secretary to carry out this title, 
 provide assistance to the Commission in carrying out the duties 
 of the Commission under this title.
 ``

    (2) Provision.--The Under Secretary may provide the 
 assistance described in paragraph

    (1) , and make available 
 amounts to the Commission to carry out the duties of the 
 Commission, through a contract with the Director of the Padilla 
 Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, unless the Governor of 
 the State of Washington objects. If such Governor so objects, 
 the Under Secretary may not provide such assistance and make 
 available such amounts to the Commission.''.
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