Rick Larsen (D-WA)
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
Waiting for a floor vote in the other chamber
Passed one chamber and is on the other chamber's calendar.
The calendar is a queue, not a date. The majority leadership decides what comes to the floor and when; much of what is placed on it is never called, and a bill that is never called simply expires with the Congress.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 374–49
- Awaiting Senate
- On Senate calendar
What this bill would do
This Act reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act to promote the protection of resources in the Northwest Straits region. It establishes a Northwest Straits Advisory Commission composed of 14 members, including representatives from various Washington counties and Tribal governments. The Commission's goal is to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use. Duties include providing technical support, collecting marine resource data, and developing restoration recommendations. The Commission will also serve as a public forum and coordinate with various government entities. This authority is set to terminate seven years after the Act's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill specifically aims to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species in the Northwest Straits region.
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The act specifically supports Tribal treaty rights, culture, and subsistence through expanded partnerships.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The commission includes requirements for public forums and annual reports to Congress.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 374 yes · 49 no
06/03/2026 · Roll call 196 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental Protection and Restoration: The Commission aims to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species within the Northwest Straits region to achieve ecosystem health (Section 405(a)).
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Support for Tribal Rights and Culture: The Act includes goals to expand partnerships with Tribal governments and continue supporting Tribal treaties, cultures, and subsistence and Tribal treaty rights (Section 405(a)(4)). Additionally, the Commission must consult with affected Tribal governments to ensure work does not violate treaty rights (Section 405(b)(7)).
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Economic and Social Stability: The Commission recognizes that economic and social benefits are dependent on marine environments and sustainable marine resources (Section 405(a)(5)). It also seeks to address factors preventing the restoration of coastal economies (Section 405(b)(3)).
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Community Involvement and Information: The Commission serves as a public forum for discussing policies and actions (Section 405(b)(5)) and informs local communities about the marine ecosystem and related issues (Section 405(b)(6)).
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Targeted Outreach: The Commission's annual report benchmarks include promoting stewardship through education and outreach, specifically mentioning targeted outreach to underresourced communities (Section 405(e)(2)(E)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Authority: The Commission does not have the authority to issue regulations or implement any Federal law or regulation (Section 405(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The act specifically supports Tribal treaty rights, culture, and subsistence through expanded partnerships. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The focus on coastal economy and marine resource restoration may benefit residents in the Northwest Straits region. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The act includes targeted outreach to underresourced communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill specifically aims to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species in the Northwest Straits region.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The commission includes requirements for public forums and annual reports to Congress.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The act aims to support coastal economies through the restoration of marine resources.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The commission is tasked with collecting marine resource data to inform conservation efforts.
- 6/4/2026
- Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
- 6/3/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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).
- 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)
- 6/2/2026
- 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.
- 1/12/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-437.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 376.
- 7/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2025
- Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 5/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/20/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/19/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/13/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Marilyn StricklandDemocrat · Washington
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington