Patty Murray (D-WA)
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 172.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill seeks to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act. The goal is to promote the protection and restoration of marine waters, habitats, and species within the Northwest Straits region. It establishes a Commission to design science-driven projects and increase awareness of marine resource health. The Commission is tasked with collaborating with Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments. Additionally, the bill outlines specific membership requirements and provides for authorized appropriations to support these efforts.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill expands partnerships with Tribal governments and supports Tribal treaty rights.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill promotes the protection and restoration of marine waters, habitats, and species in the Northwest Straits.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill supports science-driven projects and data collection for marine ecosystem monitoring.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental Protection and Resource Restoration: The bill aims to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use (Section 405(a)). This addresses declines in water quality, marine wildlife, and critical habitats (Section 403).
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Support for Tribal Rights and Culture: The Commission is tasked with expanding partnerships with Tribal governments and continuing to support Tribal treaties, cultures, and subsistence and Tribal treaty rights (Section 405(a)). It also requires consultation with affected Tribal governments to ensure work does not violate Tribal treaty rights (Section 405(b)).
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Community Involvement and Stewardship: The initiative seeks to mobilize public support and tap into citizen stewardship to protect the ecosystem (Section 403). It includes goals to build awareness and provide education and outreach (Section s 405(a) and 405(f)).
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Economic and Social Stability: The goal includes recognizing the importance of economic and social benefits that depend on marine environments and sustainable marine resources (Section 405(a)). The Commission also works to identify factors to help restore coastal economies (Section 405(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Lack of Regulatory Authority: The bill explicitly states that 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 bill expands partnerships with Tribal governments and supports Tribal treaty rights. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill mentions previous partnerships involving Veterans Conservation Corps internships.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill promotes the protection and restoration of marine waters, habitats, and species in the Northwest Straits.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill supports science-driven projects and data collection for marine ecosystem monitoring.
- 9/29/2025
- 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.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 172.
- 4/30/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
- 4/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington