S 1433
· 119th Congress
· Environmental Protection
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
Sponsor
Latest action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 172.
Action timeline
Every recorded action on this bill, newest first. Stage badges color-code the legislative path.
Sep 29, 2025
committee
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.
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Sep 29, 2025
other
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 172.
Apr 30, 2025
committee
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Apr 10, 2025
introduced
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Text versions
Each stage of the bill — official text published by GPO. Click any format to read on congress.gov / govinfo.
Changelog
ⓘ
How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.
ih / is — Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.rfh / rfs — Referred to a committee for review.rh / rs — Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).pcs / pch — Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.eh / es — Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.rdh / rds — Received by the other chamber.eah / eas — Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.ath / ats — Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.enr — Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.pl — Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.pp — Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.
Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.
ⓘ
How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.
ih/is— Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.rfh/rfs— Referred to a committee for review.rh/rs— Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).pcs/pch— Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.eh/es— Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.rdh/rds— Received by the other chamber.eah/eas— Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.ath/ats— Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.enr— Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.pl— Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.pp— Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.
Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.
Line-level diff between text versions of this bill — what actually changed at each legislative stage.
+353
−64
85 unchanged
--- Introduced (Senate)
+++ Reported (Senate)
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
-[S. 1433 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
+[S. 1433 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
+Calendar No. 172
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1433
+[Report No. 119-67]
+
To reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act
to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits,
and for other purposes.
@@ -21,6 +24,12 @@
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
+September 29, 2025
+
+Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment
+[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
+in italic]
+
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
@@ -31,6 +40,308 @@
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
+
+<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Northwest Straits Marine
+Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF NORTHWEST STRAITS MARINE
+CONSERVATION INITIATIVE ACT.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act
+(title IV of Public Law 105-384; 112 Stat. 3458) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in section 402, by striking ``Commission (in
+this title referred to as the `Commission').'' and inserting
+``Commission.''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) by striking sections 403, 404, and 405 and
+inserting the following:</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>``SEC. 403. FINDINGS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> ``Congress makes the following findings:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(3) Increasingly, the Northwest Straits have
+been threatened by sea level rise, ocean acidification, and
+other effects of climate change.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>``SEC. 404. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> ``In this title:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the
+Northwest Straits Advisory Commission established by section
+402.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) Marine resources committee.--The term
+`marine resources committee' means a county government
+committee that assists in assessing marine resource and
+conservation needs.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(3) Northwest straits region.--The term
+`Northwest Straits region' means the marine waters of the
+Strait of Juan de Fuca and of Puget Sound from the Canadian
+border to the south end of Snohomish County.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(4) Tribal government.--The term `Tribal
+government' means the recognized governing body of any Indian
+or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village,
+community, component band, or component reservation
+individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list
+published most recently as of the date of enactment of the
+Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative
+Reauthorization Act of 2025 pursuant to section 104 of the
+Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C.
+5131).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(5) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary'
+means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
+Atmosphere.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>``SEC. 405. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> ``(a) Composition.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall be
+composed of 14 members, except as provided in paragraph (2),
+who shall be appointed as follows:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) One member appointed by a consensus
+of the members of a marine resources committee for San
+Juan County, Washington.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) One member appointed by a consensus
+of the members of a marine resources committee for
+Island County, Washington.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) One member appointed by a consensus
+of the members of a marine resources committee for
+Skagit County, Washington.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(D) One member appointed by a consensus
+of the members of a marine resources committee for
+Whatcom County, Washington.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(E) One member appointed by a consensus
+of the members of a marine resources committee for
+Snohomish County, Washington.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(F) One member appointed by a consensus
+of the members of a marine resources committee for
+Clallam County, Washington.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(G) One member appointed by a consensus
+of the members of a marine resources committee for
+Jefferson County, Washington.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(H) Two members appointed by the
+Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the
+Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and in
+consultation with the Tribal governments affected by
+this title, to represent the interests of such Tribal
+governments.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(I) One member appointed by the Governor
+of the State of Washington to represent the interests
+of the Puget Sound Partnership.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(J) Four members appointed by the
+Governor of the State of Washington who--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) are residents of the State
+of Washington; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) are not employed by a
+Federal, State, or local government, excluding
+an institution of higher education.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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),
+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
+is not described in such paragraph.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(b) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be
+filled in the manner in which the original appointment was
+made.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(c) Chairperson.--The Commission shall select a
+Chairperson from among its members.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(d) Meeting.--The Commission shall meet at the call of
+the Chairperson, but not less frequently than quarterly.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(e) Liaison.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in
+consultation with the Commission, shall appoint an employee of
+the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) to serve as a liaison between the
+Commission and the Department of Commerce;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) to perform additional liaison
+functions benefitting the Commission and the National
+Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which may
+include, as agreed to by the Commission and the
+National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
+attending meetings and other events of the Commission
+as a nonvoting participant.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) Limitation.--Service as a member of the
+Commission by the employee appointed under paragraph (1)--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) is limited to the employee's service
+as a liaison; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) does not obligate the employee to
+perform any duty of the Commission under section
+406(b).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>``SEC. 406. GOAL AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> ``(a) Goal.--The goal of the Commission is to protect and
+restore the marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest
+Straits region to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use
+by--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) designing and recommending projects that are
+driven by the best available science, local priorities,
+community-based decisions, and the ability to measure
+results;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) building awareness and stewardship and
+making recommendations to improve the health of the marine
+resources of the Northwest Straits region;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(3) maintaining and expanding diverse membership
+and collaboration with partner organizations, such as the Puget
+Sound Partnership;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(4) expanding partnerships with Tribal
+governments and continuing to support Tribal treaties,
+cultures, and subsistence and Tribal treaty rights;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(5) recognizing the importance of economic and
+social benefits that are dependent on marine environments and
+sustainable marine resources.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(b) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) To provide resources and technical support
+for marine resources committees.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) To work with such marine resources
+committees and appropriate entities of Federal, State, and
+local governments and Tribal governments to provide advice in
+developing regional programs to monitor the overall health of
+the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(3) To collect marine resources data and
+identify factors adversely affecting or preventing the
+restoration of the health of the marine ecosystem and coastal
+economies of the Northwest Straits region to inform
+decisionmakers.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(4) To develop scientifically sound restoration
+and protection recommendations, informed by local priorities,
+that address such factors.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(5) To serve as a public forum for the informal
+discussion of policies and actions, with respect to the marine
+ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region, of Federal, State,
+or local governments, Tribal governments, or the Government of
+Canada.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(6) To inform appropriate authorities and local
+communities about the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits
+region and about issues relating to the marine ecosystem of the
+Northwest Straits region.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(7) To consult with all affected Tribal
+governments in the Northwest Straits region to ensure that the
+work of the Commission does not violate Tribal treaty
+rights.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(c) Coordination and Collaboration.--The Commission--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) shall carry out the duties described in
+subsection (b) in coordination and collaboration, as
+appropriate, with Federal, State, and local governments and
+Tribal governments, including by--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) providing technical support and
+assistance to any Tribal government seeking
+representation and participation on the Commission;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) supporting the work and duties of
+the liaison to the Commission under section 405(e);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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 duties described in subsection (b).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(d) Limitations.--Nothing in this title provides the
+Commission with authority to issue regulations or implement any Federal
+law or regulation.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(e) Acceptance of Donations.--For purposes of carrying
+out this section, the Commission may solicit, accept, receive, hold,
+administer, and use gifts, devises, and bequests without any further
+approval or administrative action.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(f) Annual Report.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Each year, the Commission shall
+prepare, submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
+Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the
+Senate, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on
+Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Under
+Secretary, and make available to the public a report
+describing--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) the activities carried out by the
+Commission during the preceding year; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) the progress in achieving the
+benchmarks described in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) Benchmarks.--The benchmarks described in
+this paragraph are the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) Protection and restoration of
+marine, coastal, and nearshore habitats within the
+Northwest Straits region.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) Protection and restoration of marine
+resources populations to healthy, sustainable
+levels.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) Improvement of the water quality of
+the Northwest Straits region.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(D) Collection of high-quality data and
+promotion of the use and dissemination of such data for
+the purposes of ecosystem monitoring.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(E) Promotion of stewardship and
+understanding of marine resources of the Northwest
+Straits region through education and outreach,
+including by targeted outreach to underresourced
+communities.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>``SEC. 407. FUNDING.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
+authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary to carry out this
+title--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031,
+$10,000,000; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) for fiscal year 2032 and each fiscal year
+thereafter, such sums as may be necessary.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(b) Assistance.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(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.''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
@@ -48,45 +359,7 @@
(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 +384,7 @@
``(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 +428,7 @@
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 +448,7 @@
``(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 +461,13 @@
``(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
@@ -205,9 +478,8 @@
``(2) building awareness and stewardship and making
recommendations to improve the health of the marine resources
of the Northwest Straits region;
-``(3) maintaining and expanding diverse membership and
-collaboration with partner organizations, such as the Puget
-Sound Partnership;
+``(3) maintaining and expanding collaboration with partner
+organizations, such as the Puget Sound Partnership;
``(4) expanding partnerships with Tribal governments and
continuing to support Tribal treaties, cultures, and
subsistence and Tribal treaty rights; and
@@ -250,7 +522,7 @@
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
@@ -265,9 +537,8 @@
``(f) Annual Report.--
``(1) In general.--Each year, the Commission shall prepare,
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
-Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the
-Senate, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on
-Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Under
+Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Natural
+Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Under
Secretary, and make available to the public a report
describing--
``(A) the activities carried out by the Commission
@@ -288,17 +559,13 @@
purposes of ecosystem monitoring.
``(E) Promotion of stewardship and understanding of
marine resources of the Northwest Straits region
-through education and outreach, including by targeted
-outreach to underresourced communities.
-
-``SEC. 407. FUNDING.
+through education and outreach.
+
+``SEC. 406. 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.
+appropriated to the Under Secretary $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years
+2026 through 2031 to carry out this title.
``(b) Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary may, from amounts
made available to the Under Secretary to carry out this title,
@@ -312,4 +579,26 @@
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>
+Calendar No. 172
+
+119th CONGRESS
+
+1st Session
+
+S. 1433
+
+[Report No. 119-67]
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+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.
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+September 29, 2025
+
+Reported with an amendment
Cosponsors (1)
Members who signed on to support this bill.