Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
April 10, 2025
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Where This Stands
Currently passed_chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Signed.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
The bill continues federal support for local marine restoration projects in Washington State, affecting how seven county-level marine resource committees and tribal governments coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to address issues like and habitat loss.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Residents of the Northwest Straits region
Local residents participate in and are served by the marine conservation and restoration projects managed by the initiative.
Tribal governments
Tribal governments have designated representation on the Commission to ensure their interests are included in marine resource management.
County marine resources committees
These committees are responsible for appointing members to the Commission and coordinating local conservation needs.
Current stage: passed_chamber.
Signed.
Summary
Key Facts
- Reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act.
- Sets the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission composition at 14 members.
- Requires seven members to be appointed by consensus of marine resources committees from San Juan, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, Clallam, and Jefferson counties.
- Requires two members to be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to represent tribal interests, in coordination with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
- Requires one member to be appointed by the Governor of Washington to represent the Puget Sound Partnership.
- Requires four members to be appointed by the Governor of Washington who are state residents and not government employees.
- Allows the Commission to appoint additional members from other marine resources committees if necessary.
- Mandates the Commission meet at least quarterly.
- Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to appoint a NOAA employee as a non-voting liaison to the Commission.
- Defines the 'Northwest Straits region' as marine waters from the Canadian border to the south end of Snohomish County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission?
Who appoints the members of the Commission?
How often does the Commission meet?
Why It Matters
The bill continues federal support for local marine restoration projects in Washington State, affecting how seven county-level marine resource committees and tribal governments coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to address issues like and habitat loss.
News Coverage
Voting Record
Total
416
Yes
368
No
48
Present
0
Not Voting
0
Abstain
0
How they voted (416)
Ayanna Pressley
D · yes
Laura Friedman
D · yes
Chellie Pingree
D · yes
Lauren Boebert
R · no
Ilhan Omar
D · yes
Valerie Foushee
D · yes
David Schweikert
R · yes
Jamie Raskin
D · yes
Pat Harrigan
R · no
Rick Allen
R · yes
Craig Goldman
R · yes
Maria Salazar
R · yes
Shomari Figures
D · yes
Barry Loudermilk
R · yes
Eric Sorensen
D · yes
Donald Davis
D · yes
Beth Van Duyne
R · no
Darren Soto
D · yes
Guy Reschenthaler
R · yes
John Garamendi
D · yes
Tom Emmer
R · yes
Derek Schmidt
R · yes
Janelle Bynum
D · yes
William Timmons
R · yes
+ 392 more
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Formalization of Tribal Representation
The bill explicitly mandates tribal representation on the Commission through the Secretary of the Interior, strengthening the formal link between federal marine policy and tribal governments.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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