Bill > S1433

This bill reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act, focusing on protecting and restoring marine resources in the Northwest Straits region, which encompasses the marine waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound from the Canadian border to southern Snohomish County. The bill establishes a 14-member Northwest Straits Advisory Commission composed of representatives from seven Washington counties, two Tribal government representatives, a Puget Sound Partnership representative, and four at-large members appointed by the Governor of Washington. The Commission's primary goal is to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species through science-driven projects, community-based decision-making, and collaborative partnerships with federal, state, local, and Tribal governments. Its specific duties include providing technical support to marine resources committees, monitoring marine ecosystem health, collecting data, developing restoration recommendations, and serving as a public forum for marine ecosystem discussions. The bill authorizes $3 million in annual funding from fiscal years 2026 through 2031, to be administered by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, potentially through a contract with the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Commission is required to submit an annual report detailing its activities and progress toward specific environmental benchmarks, while explicitly lacking regulatory authority.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1433/all-info