WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HJM 4004

Requesting Congress to modify the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adam Bernbaum and 16 co-sponsors

Urges Congress to modify the MMPA to give states and tribes broader flexibility, including lethal removal, to manage pinniped predation on salmon across all Washington shores and P

Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJM 4004

Summary of Washington House Joint Memorial 4004 (HJM 4004)

What the bill is

  • Type: Washington State House Joint Memorial (non-binding)
  • Title: Requesting Congress to modify the Marine Mammal Protection Act
  • Purpose: To urge Congress to modify the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to give states and federally recognized tribes greater flexibility to use adaptive management tools, including lethal removal, to address pinniped predation on endangered salmon stocks across all marine shorelines and Puget Sound.
  • Sponsor(s): Representatives Chase, Nance, Dent, McClintock, Bernbaum, Engell, Schmick, Orcutt, Springer, Marshall, Volz, Reeves, Jacobsen, Parshley, Klicker, Eslick, and Schmidt
  • Introduced: February 3, 2025
  • Current status: Returned to Rules Committee for second reading (as of March 19, 2025)

What the memorial asks Congress to do

  • Modify the MMPA to provide greater flexibility for states and tribes to employ adaptive management tools for pinniped predators of endangered salmon stocks.
  • Include, where appropriate, the use of lethal removal as an option, across all marine shorelines and Puget Sound (not limited to existing designated areas).

Context and background

  • The MMPA generally prohibits taking marine mammals, with certain exceptions (incidental takes, research, or capture for display), and assigns implementation to federal agencies including NOAA Fisheries.
  • Washington and other states can currently seek permission for lethal taking of identifiable pinnipeds when they negatively affect salmon stocks, under specific conditions and geographic areas (notably near Bonneville Dam and the Columbia River system).
  • The 2018 amendments to the MMPA created a separate process to authorize take of sea lions in the Columbia River region, expanding who can apply and where take may occur, with a cap of 10% of the stock’s PBR (potenial biological removal). This mechanism does not automatically extend beyond the Columbia River to Puget Sound or other marine areas.
  • The Washington State Academy of Sciences (2022) recommended adaptive, strategic management—including lethal removal—as a tool to help recover salmon populations.

Key provisions and potential impact

  • Substantive change sought: Extend the use of adaptive management tools, including lethal removal, to pinniped management across all Washington marine shorelines and Puget Sound.
  • Policy effect: The memorial would place pressure on Congress to alter federal law (MMPA) to broaden state/tribal authority in predator management related to salmon recovery.
  • Fiscal note: No appropriation requested; no fiscal note prepared.
  • Relationship to existing authorities: Acknowledges current Columbia River take authorities; seeks to generalize and broaden them to external areas and other pinniped species as part of a broader salmon recovery strategy.

Who would be affected

  • Federal level: Potential changes in MMPA could broaden the scope of permissible pinniped take by states/tribes.
  • Washington state and tribal entities: Increased tools and authority for adaptive management of pinnipeds affecting salmon.
  • Salmon populations and fisheries: Potential improvements in salmon passage and abundance if adaptive management proves effective.
  • Pinniped populations: Possible increases in management actions, including lethal removal, if authorized.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Heard in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources on February 21, 2025; the committee reported "Do pass."
  • Advances: Referred to Rules for 2nd Review; subsequently returned to Rules for second reading on March 19, 2025.
  • As a memorial, the bill is non-binding and expresses a state policy stance urging federal action rather than altering state law directly.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.