S. 1433 · On the floor · Environmental Protection

Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

Sponsor: Patty Murray (D-WA)

What it does

• Revises and reauthorizes through fiscal year 2031 the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative and its Northwest Straits Advisory Commission.
• Covers a region from Snohomish and Jefferson counties in Washington to the Canadian border, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and northern Puget Sound.
• Sets requirements for the commission's membership, goals, and duties.
• Requires the commission to support marine resources committees, develop scientifically sound restoration and protection recommendations, and host informal policy discussions on the regional marine ecosystem.

Official summary

Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2031 the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative and its Northwest Straits Advisory Commission. The initiative and the commission work to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits region. The region stretches from Snohomish and Jefferson counties in Washington state to the Canadian border and includes the U.S. marine waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and the northern area of the Puget Sound. The bill establishes requirements regarding the commission's membership, goals, and duties. Among other duties, the commission must provide resources and technical support for marine resources committees, develop scientifically sound restoration and protection recommendations, and serve as a public forum for informal policy discussions about the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region.

Latest action

Sep 29, 2025: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 172.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation