--- Introduced (House)
+++ Reported (House)
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
-[H.R. 2860 Introduced in House (IH)]
+[H.R. 2860 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
+Union Calendar No. 376
119th CONGRESS
-1st Session
+2d Session
H. R. 2860
+
+[Report No. 119-437]
To reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act
to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits,
@@ -20,6 +23,20 @@
Mr. Larsen of Washington (for himself and Ms. Randall) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
+
+January 12, 2026
+
+Additional sponsors: Ms. Strickland, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Smith of
+Washington, Ms. Jayapal, and Ms. Schrier
+
+January 12, 2026
+
+Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
+House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
+[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
+in italic]
+[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April
+10, 2025]
_______________________________________________________________________
@@ -48,45 +65,7 @@
(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.
+``SEC. 403. DEFINITIONS.
``In this title:
``(1) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the
@@ -111,7 +90,7 @@
``(5) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
-``SEC. 405. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION.
+``SEC. 404. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION.
``(a) Composition.--
``(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 14
@@ -155,7 +134,7 @@
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),
+to perform the duties of the Commission under section 405(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
@@ -175,7 +154,7 @@
``(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
+section 405(a); and
``(C) to perform additional liaison functions
benefitting the Commission and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, which may include, as
@@ -188,13 +167,13 @@
``(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).
+duty of the Commission under section 405(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.
+under section 405(b).
+
+``SEC. 405. 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
@@ -250,7 +229,7 @@
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
+to the Commission under section 404(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
@@ -291,25 +270,32 @@
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.''.
-<all>
+``SEC. 406. SUNSET.
+
+``The authority to carry out this title shall terminate on the date
+that is 7 years after the date of the enactment of the Northwest
+Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025.''.
+Union Calendar No. 376
+
+119th CONGRESS
+
+2d Session
+
+H. R. 2860
+
+[Report No. 119-437]
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+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.
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+January 12, 2026
+
+Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
+House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed