Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Democrat · WA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

2026-07-09

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would allow certain Indian Tribes in California to legally kill sea lions in a specific section of the Columbia River, which they say are eating too many salmon and interfering with fishing. Currently, federal law protects these sea lions from being killed, so this change would give the Tribes an exception to that protection. The Tribes argue this action is necessary to protect salmon populations and their traditional fishing practices.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

119 HR 9637 IH: Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-07-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9637IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 9, 2026Ms. Perez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to authorize intentional lethal take by certain Indian Tribes of California sea lions and Steller sea lions in a specified portion of the Columbia River, and for other purposes. 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026. 2.Intentional lethal take by certain Indian Tribes of certain pinnipeds in Columbia River (a)In generalSection 120 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1389) is amended by adding at the end the following: (k)Intentional lethal take by certain Indian Tribes of certain pinnipeds in Columbia River (1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a covered Indian Tribe may intentionally lethally take covered pinnipeds on covered waters. (2)RequirementsWith respect to the intentional lethal take of covered pinnipeds on covered waters, a covered Indian Tribe— (A)may carry out such take— (i)without limitation on— (I)the number of covered pinnipeds the covered Indian Tribe may take; or (II)when the covered Indian Tribe may take covered pinnipeds; and (ii)notwithstanding whether the covered pinnipeds are individually identifiable; and (B)shall carry out such take— (i)in a manner the covered Indian Tribe determines to be humane; and (ii)using methods the covered Indian Tribe determines appropriate. (3)DesigneesA covered Indian Tribe may designate a person to intentionally lethally take covered pinnipeds on covered waters in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (2) on behalf of the covered Indian Tribe. (4)Rule of constructionNothing in this subsection may be construed to limit existing Tribal rights or authorities under treaties, executive orders, or other provisions of law. (5)DefinitionsIn this subsection: (A)Covered Indian TribeThe term covered Indian Tribe means an Indian Tribe (as such term is defined in section 102 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5130)) that has ancestral ties to any part of covered waters. (B)Covered pinnipedThe term covered pinniped means a— (i) California sea lion (Zalphus californianus); and (ii) Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) that is part of the Eastern Distinct Population Segment of Steller sea lions. (C)Covered watersThe term covered waters means the mainstem and tributaries of the Columbia River in the States of Washington and Oregon from River Mile 0 to the McNary Dam..

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