Title: PUGET SOS Act
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
Promoting United Government Efforts to Save Our Sound Act or the PUGET SOS Act
This bill provides support for the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound, an estuary in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington.
Specifically, the bill establishes (1) a Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency, and (2) the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
Finally, the bill establishes a State Advisory Committee.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2247 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2247

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance 
   for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget 
                     Sound, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 10, 2019

 Mr. Heck (for himself and Mr. Kilmer) introduced the following bill; 
       which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
                             Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance 
   for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget 
                     Sound, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting United Government Efforts 
To Save Our Sound Act'' or the ``PUGET SOS Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Puget Sound and its tributary waters are one of the 
        most ecologically diverse ecosystems in North America with 
        natural resources that have ecological, economic, and cultural 
        importance to the United States and the many Tribal nations 
        that have stewarded it for millennia. The health and 
        productivity of Puget Sound is not only the cornerstone of the 
        region's quality of life and vibrant economy, but its word-
        class salmon fishery, commercial aquaculture, agriculture, and 
        port activities ripple throughout the Nation.
            (2) Threats to Puget Sound, such as water pollution, 
        sediment contamination, environmental degradation, and habitat 
        loss, jeopardize the economic productivity and natural 
        resources that support the increasing population of the region.
            (3) For nearly a decade, State, local, and Tribal 
        governments, cooperative partnerships, and concerned citizens 
        have worked together in a deliberate and coordinated way to 
        direct and manage public resource allocation toward habitat 
        restoration, improving water quality and shellfish farms, and 
        developing a body of scientific knowledge, all of which have 
        advanced the Puget Sound recovery efforts.
            (4) Tribal governments with treaty-reserved rights in the 
        natural resources of Puget Sound have long served as co-
        managers of fishery resources, have engaged in Puget Sound 
        Partnership processes and public forums to encourage a holistic 
        and scientific approach to recovery efforts, and have continued 
        in their role as stewards of Puget Sound, including by engaging 
        with multi-faceted restoration and protection actions, and are 
        thus an indispensable, equal partner in all Puget Sound 
        recovery actions.
            (5) Despite significant and nationally recognized 
        accomplishments, the rate of damage to Puget Sound still 
        exceeds the rate of recovery. To outpace mounting pollutants 
        and other cascading negative impacts, the next step in 
        fortifying the recovery system is to align Federal recovery and 
        protection efforts seamlessly with State, local, and Tribal 
        investments.
            (6) At this time, water and air pollution, sediment 
        contamination, habitat loss and decline, and water flow 
        disruption continue to devastate the fish, marine mammal, bird, 
        and shellfish populations of Puget Sound, threatening local 
        economies and Tribal treaty rights and contributing to--
                    (A) significant declines in the populations of wild 
                Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Summer Chum Salmon, 
                Steelhead, and Pacific Herring, which are essential 
                food sources for humans, fish, seabirds, mammals, and 
                other wildlife;
                    (B) risks to the sustainability of fish and 
                shellfish populations, and their food chains, 
                reproductive cycles, and habitats, which also threaten 
                Federal obligations to protect Tribal resources 
                culture, traditions, and economies;
                    (C) 113 marine species being listed at risk or 
                vulnerable to extinction, according to State, Federal, 
                and provincial lists that identify the species of Puget 
                Sound and surrounding areas, including the iconic 
                population of southern resident Orca whales;
                    (D) sediment contaminated with toxic substances 
                (such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals 
                (mercury), and oil (grease)), all of which are 
                polluting Puget Sound, threatening public health, and 
                posing significant dangers to humans, fish, and 
                wildlife;
                    (E) rivers and beaches that fail to meet water 
                quality standards and become unsafe for salmon, as well 
                as business and recreational activities, such as 
                fishing and swimming;
                    (F) the closing of shellfish beds from contaminated 
                pollution caused by sources such as stormwater and 
                agricultural runoff; and
                    (G) mortalities and morbidity in shellfish due to 
                the acidification of Puget Sound.

SEC. 3. DECLARATION OF POLICY; PURPOSE.

    (a) Declaration of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States 
that the Federal Government should support, partner, and collaborate 
with the regional efforts that are addressing environmental and natural 
resource issues involving Puget Sound because--
            (1) Puget Sound is a national treasure, the recovery and 
        protection of which will significantly contribute to the 
        environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of the United 
        States and the many Tribal nations that have stewarded it for 
        millennia;
            (2) a more deliberate coordination of Federal investments 
        with regional, local, and Tribal recovery and preservation 
        efforts will be the most effective and efficient use of public 
        resources; and
            (3) it is the role of the Federal Government to align its 
        efforts and resources to--
                    (A) fully implement and enforce the goals of the 
                Federal Water Pollution Control Act, including State 
                implementation of non-point source water quality 
                standards for salmon, the Endangered Species Act of 
                1973, and all other Federal laws that contribute to the 
                recovery and protection of Puget Sound;
                    (B) uphold Federal trust responsibilities to 
                restore and protect resources crucial to Tribal treaty 
                rights, including by carrying out government-to-
                government consultation;
                    (C) support regional, local, and Tribal efforts to 
                address environmental challenges; and
                    (D) encourage local citizen and community 
                stewardship.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to ensure that the 
recovery and protection programs, projects, and initiatives that the 
Federal Government undertakes in, or that otherwise impact, Puget Sound 
shall be actively coordinated and aligned with the protection of Tribal 
treaty rights and resources the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, 
Salmon Recovery Plans, the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, 
and the Puget Sound Action Agenda.

SEC. 4. PUGET SOUND COORDINATED RECOVERY.

    Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 124. PUGET SOUND.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions 
apply:
            ``(1) Coastal nonpoint pollution control program.--The term 
        `Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program' means the State of 
        Washington's federally approved coastal nonpoint pollution 
        control program required under section 6217(b) of the Coastal 
        Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 
        1455(b)).
            ``(2) Co-chairs.--The term `Co-Chairs' means the co-chairs 
        of the Task Force.
            ``(3) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
        the Program Office.
            ``(4) Executive director.--The term `Executive Director' 
        means the Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership.
            ``(5) International joint commission.--The term 
        `International Joint Commission' means the International Joint 
        Commission established by the United States and Canada under 
        the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.
            ``(6) Pacific salmon commission.--The term `Pacific Salmon 
        Commission' means the Pacific Salmon Commission established by 
        the United States and Canada under the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
            ``(7) Program office.--The term `Program Office' means the 
        Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office of the 
        Environmental Protection Agency established by this section.
            ``(8) Puget sound.--The term `Puget Sound' means the 
        estuary that is an arm of the Pacific Ocean, extends inland, 
        and meets 19 different river basins.
            ``(9) Puget sound region.--The term `Puget Sound region' 
        includes all of the water that falls on the Olympic and Cascade 
        Mountains and flows to meet Puget Sound's marine waters. The 
        Puget Sound region covers the land and waters in the northwest 
        corner of the State of Washington from the Canadian border to 
        the north to the Pacific Ocean on the west, including Hood 
        Canal and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
            ``(10) Puget sound action agenda; action agenda.--The term 
        `Puget Sound Action Agenda' or `Action Agenda' means the most 
        recent plan developed by the Puget Sound Management Conference, 
        in consultation with the Tribal Management Conference under the 
        leadership of the Puget Sound Partnership and adopted by the 
        Environmental Protection Agency as the Puget Sound 
        Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.
            ``(11) Puget sound federal task force.--The term `Puget 
        Sound Federal Task Force' means the Puget Sound Federal Task 
        Force established in 2016 under a memorandum of understanding 
        among 9 Federal agencies.
            ``(12) Puget sound federal leadership task force; task 
        force.--The term `Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force' or 
        `Task Force' means the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
        Force established by this section.
            ``(13) Puget sound national estuary program management 
        conference.--The term `Puget Sound National Estuary Program 
        Management Conference' means the management conference for 
        Puget Sound established pursuant to section 320(c).
            ``(14) Salmon recovery plans.--The term `Salmon Recovery 
        Plans' means the federally approved recovery plans for salmon 
        and steelhead species listed under section 4(f) of the 
        Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)).
            ``(15) Puget sound partnership.--The term `Puget Sound 
        Partnership' means the State agency that is established under 
        the laws of the State of Washington (section 90.71.210 of the 
        Revised Code of Washington), or its successor agency, that has 
        been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as the 
        lead entity to support the management conference for Puget 
        Sound.
            ``(16) Treaty rights at risk initiative.--The term `Treaty 
        Rights at Risk Initiative' means the 2011 report from the 
        Treaty Tribes of western Washington or its successor report, 
        which outlines issues and offers solutions for the protection 
        of Tribal treaty rights, recovery of salmon habitat, and 
        management of sustainable treaty and non-treaty salmon 
        fisheries, including through Tribal salmon hatchery programs.
            ``(17) State advisory committee.--The term `State Advisory 
        Committee' means the advisory committee established by 
        subsection (e).
            ``(18) Puget sound tribal management conference.--The term 
        `Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference' means the 20 Treaty 
        Tribes of the Puget Sound region and along the coast of 
        Washington State, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries 
        Commission.
            ``(19) Puget sound leadership council.--The term `Puget 
        Sound Leadership Council' means the governing body of the Puget 
        Sound Partnership established under the laws of the State of 
        Washington (section 90.71.210 of the Revised Code of 
        Washington).
            ``(20) Salish sea.--The term `Salish Sea' means the network 
        of coastal waterways on the west coast of North America that 
        includes the Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait 
        of Juan de Fuca.
    ``(b) Consistency.--
            ``(1) In general.--All Federal agencies represented on the 
        Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall act 
        consistently with the protection of Tribal, treaty-reserved 
        rights and, to the greatest extent practicable given their 
        existing obligations under Federal law, act consistently with 
        the objectives and priorities of the Action Agenda, Salmon 
        Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the 
        Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, when--
                    ``(A) conducting Federal agency activities within 
                or outside the Puget Sound that affect any land or 
                water use or natural resources of Puget Sound and its 
                tributary waters, including activities performed by a 
                contractor for the benefit of a Federal agency;
                    ``(B) interpreting and enforcing regulations that 
                impact the recovery and preservation of Puget Sound;
                    ``(C) issuing Federal licenses or permits that 
                impact the recovery and preservation of Puget Sound; 
                and
                    ``(D) granting Federal assistance to State, local, 
                and Tribal governments for activities related to the 
                recovery and preservation of Puget Sound.
            ``(2) Exemptions.--Any Federal agency activity necessary 
        for national security, deemed by the President to be in the 
        paramount interest of the United States, or determined by the 
        Task Force, in consultation with the State Advisory Committee 
        and the Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference, to be 
        necessary to complete a project that was approved prior to the 
        enactment of this section shall be exempt from the consistency 
        requirements established in paragraph (1).
    ``(c) Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the 
        Environmental Protection Agency a Puget Sound Recovery National 
        Program Office to be located in the State of Washington.
            ``(2) Director.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director of the Program 
                Office shall be a career reserved position, as such 
                term is defined in section 3132(a)(8) of title 5.
                    ``(B) Qualifications.--The Director of the Program 
                Office, by reason of prior leadership and project 
                management experience, shall be highly qualified to--
                            ``(i) support the integration of multiple 
                        project planning efforts and programs from 
                        different agencies and jurisdictions; and
                            ``(ii) align numerous and often conflicting 
                        needs toward implementing a shared action 
                        agenda with visible and measurable outcomes.
            ``(3) Delegation of authority; staffing.--The Administrator 
        shall delegate to the Director such authority and provide such 
        additional staff as may be necessary to carry out this 
        subsection.
            ``(4) Duties.--The Director shall--
                    ``(A) coordinate and manage the timely execution of 
                the Environmental Protection Agency's role described in 
                this section, including the formation and meetings of 
                the Task Force;
                    ``(B) coordinate Puget Sound recovery, protection, 
                and restoration actions, programs, grants, science, 
                research, and initiatives across the Agency;
                    ``(C) coordinate and align the Agency's strategies, 
                policies, studies, programs, and activities with the 
                Puget Sound Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, 
                Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal 
                Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
                    ``(D) promote the efficient use of Agency resources 
                in pursuit of Puget Sound recovery;
                    ``(E) serve on the Task Force and collaborate with, 
                help coordinate, and implement strategies, policies, 
                studies, programs, and activities with other Federal 
                agencies that have responsibilities involving Puget 
                Sound recovery and protection;
                    ``(F) provide or procure such other advice, 
                technical assistance, research, assessments, 
                monitoring, or other support or enforcement as is 
                deemed necessary or prudent to most efficiently and 
                effectively fulfill the objectives and priorities of 
                the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights 
                at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
                Control Program consistent with the best available 
                science and to ensure that the health of the system is 
                thereafter maintained;
                    ``(G) track the progress of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency toward meeting the Agency's specified 
                goals and objectives within the Action Agenda;
                    ``(H) implement the recommendations of the 
                Government Accountability Office, as set forth in the 
                report GAO-18-453 dated July 19, 2018;
                    ``(I) serve as liaison and coordinate projects, 
                programs, and studies for the recovery and protection 
                of the Salish Sea, with Canadian authorities, the 
                Pacific Salmon Commission, and the International Joint 
                Commission; and
                    ``(J) carry out such additional duties as the 
                Administrator determines necessary and appropriate.
    ``(d) Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Puget Sound 
        Federal Leadership Task Force.
            ``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Task Force shall be to 
        build upon the current membership of the Puget Sound Federal 
        Task Force in order to--
                    ``(A) provide a venue for dialogue and coordination 
                across all Federal agencies on the Task Force to align 
                Federal resources for the purposes of achieving this 
                section and all other Federal laws that contribute to 
                the recovery and protection of Puget Sound and uphold 
                Federal trust responsibilities to restore and protect 
                resources crucial to Tribal treaty rights, including 
                carrying out government-to-govenment consultation;
                    ``(B) work with the Puget Sound Tribal Management 
                Conference and the State Advisory Committee to align 
                and coordinate Federal actions impacting Puget Sound 
                with the actions of State, local, and Tribal 
                governments and other stakeholders as they have been 
                coordinated and prioritized in the Puget Sound Action 
                Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk 
                Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control 
                Program;
                    ``(C) raise national awareness of the significance 
                of Puget Sound and thereby increase the importance of 
                investment in its recovery, restoration, and protection 
                efforts;
                    ``(D) promote the efficient use of government 
                resources in pursuit of Puget Sound recovery through 
                coordination and collaboration;
                    ``(E) catalyze public leaders at all levels to work 
                together toward shared goals by demonstrating 
                interagency best practices coming from the Federal 
                partners; and
                    ``(F) develop and approve, every 5 years, an Action 
                Plan that leverages Federal programs across agencies, 
                and serves to coordinate diverse programs on a specific 
                suite of priorities on Puget Sound recovery. The Action 
                Plan may not adversely affect national security.
            ``(3) Duties.--
                    ``(A) Participation of state advisory committee and 
                puget sound tribal management conference.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Task Force shall 
                        carry out its duties with input from and in 
                        collaboration with the State Advisory Committee 
                        and Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference.
                            ``(ii) Specific advice and 
                        recommendations.--The Task Force shall seek the 
                        advice and recommendations of the State 
                        Advisory Committee and Puget Sound Tribal 
                        Management Conference on the actions, progress, 
                        and issues pertaining to recovery and 
                        protection of Puget Sound.
                    ``(B) General duties.--The Task Force shall--
                            ``(i) enable and encourage the Federal 
                        agencies represented on the Puget Sound Federal 
                        Leadership Task Force to act consistently with 
                        the objectives and priorities of the Action 
                        Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at 
                        Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint 
                        Pollution Control Program;
                            ``(ii) facilitate the coordination of 
                        Federal activities that impact the recovery and 
                        protection of Puget Sound;
                            ``(iii) facilitate the delivery of feedback 
                        given by Federal agencies to the Puget Sound 
                        Partnership during the development of the 
                        Action Agenda;
                            ``(iv) facilitate the resolution of (and, 
                        if necessary, seek to mediate in cooperation 
                        with the Executive Office of the President) 
                        interagency conflicts associated with the 
                        recovery and protection of Puget Sound among 
                        the agencies represented on the Task Force;
                            ``(v) provide a forum for exchanging 
                        information among agencies regarding resources, 
                        programs, projects, and activities being 
                        conducted, including obstacles or efficiencies 
                        found, during Puget Sound recovery and 
                        protection activities;
                            ``(vi) ensure that the science necessary 
                        for recovery and protection of Puget Sound is 
                        coordinated, planned, and implemented 
                        efficiently across the Federal Government;
                            ``(vii) provide advice and support on 
                        scientific and technical issues and act as a 
                        forum for the exchange of scientific 
                        information about Puget Sound;
                            ``(viii) identify and inventory Federal 
                        environmental research and monitoring programs 
                        related to Puget Sound, and provide such 
                        inventory to the Puget Sound National Estuary 
                        Program Management Conference;
                            ``(ix) ensure that Puget Sound recovery and 
                        protection projects, programs, and studies are 
                        consistent with ongoing recovery and protection 
                        and related efforts in the Salish Sea that are 
                        being conducted by Canadian authorities, the 
                        Pacific Salmon Commission, and the 
                        International Joint Commission;
                            ``(x) establish any necessary working 
                        groups or advisory committees necessary to 
                        assist the Task Force in its duties, including 
                        public policy and scientific issues;
                            ``(xi) work with the Office of Management 
                        and Budget to give necessary input on the 
                        crosscut budget to be developed under 
                        subsection (g); and
                            ``(xii) develop a biennial report on 
                        progress made towards the Action Plan, as 
                        described in subsection (d), to be submitted to 
                        the President, Congress, and the Governor of 
                        Washington.
                    ``(C) Feedback by federal agencies.--The feedback 
                given by Federal agencies under subparagraph (B)(iii) 
                shall consider, at a minimum, possible Federal actions 
                designed to--
                            ``(i) further the goals, targets, and 
                        actions of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery 
                        Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and 
                        the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
                            ``(ii) implement and enforce this Act, the 
                        Endangered Species Act of 1973, and all other 
                        Federal laws that contribute to the recovery 
                        and protection of Puget Sound, including those 
                        that protect Tribal treaty rights;
                            ``(iii) prevent the introduction and spread 
                        of invasive species;
                            ``(iv) prevent the destruction of marine 
                        and wildlife habitats;
                            ``(v) protect, restore, and conserve 
                        forests, wetlands, riparian zones, and 
                        nearshore waters that provide marine and 
                        wildlife habitat;
                            ``(vi) promote resilience to climate change 
                        and ocean acidification effects;
                            ``(vii) conserve and recover endangered 
                        species under the Endangered Species Act of 
                        1973;
                            ``(viii) restore fisheries so that they are 
                        sustainable and productive;
                            ``(ix) preserve biodiversity;
                            ``(x) restore and protect ecosystem 
                        services that provide clean water, filter toxic 
                        chemicals, and increase ecosystem resilience; 
                        and
                            ``(xi) improve water quality and restore 
                        wildlife habitat, including by preventing and 
                        managing stormwater runoff, incorporating 
                        erosion control techniques, using sustainable 
                        stormwater practices, and mitigating and 
                        minimizing other nonpoint source pollution.
                    ``(D) Use of previous work.--The Task Force shall, 
                to the extent practicable, use the work product 
                produced, relied upon, and analyzed by the Puget Sound 
                Federal Task Force in order to avoid duplicating the 
                efforts of the Puget Sound Federal Task Force.
            ``(4) Membership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The membership of the Task Force 
                shall include representatives of Federal agencies that 
                have responsibilities and authorities that govern 
                recovery, conservation, and protection of the Puget 
                Sound, its tributaries, and watersheds.
                    ``(B) Qualifications.--Members appointed under this 
                paragraph shall have experience and expertise in 
                matters of recovery and protection of large watersheds 
                and bodies of water or related experience that will 
                benefit the recovery and protection effort of the Puget 
                Sound.
                    ``(C) Composition.--The Task Force shall be 
                composed of the following members:
                            ``(i) Secretary of agriculture.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Agriculture (or the Secretary's 
                        designee):
                                    ``(I) A representative of the 
                                National Forest Service.
                                    ``(II) A representative of the 
                                Natural Resources Conservation Service.
                            ``(ii) Secretary of commerce.--A 
                        representative of the National Oceanic and 
                        Atmospheric Administration appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Commerce (or the Secretary's 
                        designee).
                            ``(iii) Secretary of defense.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary's 
                        designee):
                                    ``(I) A representative of the U.S. 
                                Army Corps of Engineers.
                                    ``(II) A representative of the 
                                Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
                                    ``(III) A representative of the 
                                Navy Region Northwest.
                            ``(iv) Administrator.--A representative of 
                        the Puget Sound Recovery National Program 
                        Office appointed by the Administrator (or the 
                        Administrator's designee).
                            ``(v) Secretary of homeland security.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Homeland Security (or the 
                        Secretary's designee):
                                    ``(I) A representative of the Coast 
                                Guard.
                                    ``(II) A representative of the 
                                Federal Emergency Management Agency.
                            ``(vi) Secretary of the interior.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of the Interior (or the Secretary's 
                        designee):
                                    ``(I) A representative of the 
                                Bureau of Indian Affairs.
                                    ``(II) A representative of the 
                                United States Fish and Wildlife 
                                Service.
                                    ``(III) A representative of the 
                                United States Geological Survey.
                                    ``(IV) A representative of the 
                                National Park Service.
                            ``(vii) Secretary of transportation.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Transportation (or the Secretary's 
                        designee):
                                    ``(I) A representative of the 
                                Federal Highway Administration.
                                    ``(II) A representative of the 
                                Federal Transit Administration.
                            ``(viii) Task force.--Representatives of 
                        such other agencies, programs, and initiatives 
                        as the Task Force determines necessary.
            ``(5) Leadership.--The Co-Chairs shall ensure the Task 
        Force completes its duties through robust discussion of all 
        relevant issues and with the participation of all members. The 
        Co-Chairs shall share leadership responsibilities equally.
            ``(6) Co-chairs.--The following members of the Task Force 
        appointed under paragraph (4) shall serve as Co-Chairs of the 
        Task Force:
                    ``(A) The representative of the National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration.
                    ``(B) The representative of the Puget Sound 
                Recovery National Program Office.
                    ``(C) The representative of the Corps of Engineers.
            ``(7) Meetings.--
                    ``(A) Initial meeting.--The Task Force shall meet 
                not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
                this section--
                            ``(i) to determine if all Federal agencies 
                        are properly represented;
                            ``(ii) to establish the bylaws of the Task 
                        Force;
                            ``(iii) to establish necessary working 
                        groups or committees; and
                            ``(iv) to determine subsequent meeting 
                        times, dates, and logistics.
                    ``(B) Subsequent meetings.--After the initial 
                meeting, the Task Force shall meet, at a minimum, twice 
                per year to carry out the duties of the Task Force.
                    ``(C) Working group meetings.--Meetings of any 
                established working groups or committees of the Task 
                Force shall not count toward the minimum biannual 
                meeting requirement of the full Task Force.
                    ``(D) Joint meetings.--The Task Force shall offer 
                to meet jointly with the Puget Sound National Estuary 
                Program Management Conference and the Puget Sound 
                Tribal Management Conference, at a minimum, once per 
                year. These meetings may substitute for one of the two 
                minimum biannual meetings of the full Task Force, if 
                mutually agreed upon by all participants.
                    ``(E) Quorum.--A majority number of the members of 
                the Task Force shall constitute a quorum.
                    ``(F) Voting.--For the Task Force to pass a 
                measure, a two-thirds percentage of the quorum must 
                vote in the affirmative.
    ``(e) State Advisory Committee.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a State Advisory 
        Committee.
            ``(2) Membership.--The committee shall consist of up to 7 
        members designated by the Puget Sound Leadership Council, in 
        consultation with the Governor of Washington or the Governor's 
        designee, who will represent Washington State agencies with 
        significant roles and responsibilities related to Puget Sound 
        recovery.
    ``(f) Task Force Procedures and Advice.--
            ``(1) Advisors.--The Task Force, and any working group of 
        the Task Force, may seek advice and input from any interested, 
        knowledgeable, or affected party as the Task Force or working 
        group, respectively, determines necessary to perform its 
        duties.
            ``(2) Federal advisory committee act.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Task Force, State Advisory 
                Committee, and any working group of the Task Force, 
                shall not be considered an advisory committee under the 
                Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
                    ``(B) Seeking advice and input.--The Federal 
                Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
                to any activity of the Task Force.
            ``(3) Compensation.--A member of the Task Force shall 
        receive no additional compensation for service as a member on 
        the Task Force.
            ``(4) Travel expenses.--Travel expenses incurred by a 
        member of the Task Force in the performance of services for the 
        Task Force shall be paid by the agency or department that the 
        member represents.
    ``(g) Task Force Biennial Report on Puget Sound Recovery 
Activities.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this section, and biennially thereafter, the Task 
        Force, in collaboration with the Puget Sound Tribal Management 
        Conference and the State Advisory Committee, shall submit to 
        the President, Congress, and the Governor of Washington a 
        report that summarizes the progress, challenges, and milestones 
        of the Task Force on the recovery and protection of Puget 
        Sound.
            ``(2) Contents.--The report shall include a description of 
        the following:
                    ``(A) The roles of each Federal, State, and local 
                government entity that has jurisdiction in the Puget 
                Sound region and the progress made toward meeting the 
                identified goals and objectives of the Action Agenda, 
                Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk 
                Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control 
                Program.
                    ``(B) If available, the roles and progress of 
                Tribal governments that have jurisdiction in the Puget 
                Sound region toward meeting the identified goals and 
                objectives of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, 
                Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal 
                Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.
                    ``(C) A summary of the progress each Federal agency 
                has made in implementing their specific 
                responsibilities under the Action Agenda, Salmon 
                Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and 
                the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.
                    ``(D) The role of each Federal agency in protecting 
                Tribal treaty rights, including by carrying out its 
                Tribal trust responsibilities, and a summary of the 
                progress each agency has made in protecting those 
                rights.
                    ``(E) A summary of specific recommendations 
                concerning implementation of the Action Agenda, 
                including challenges, barriers, and anticipated 
                milestones, targets, and timelines.
                    ``(F) A summary of progress made by Federal 
                agencies toward the priorities identified in the Action 
                Plan, as defined in subsection (d).
    ``(h) Crosscut Budget Report.--
            ``(1) Financial report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this section, and every 5 years 
        thereafter, the Director of the Office of Management and 
        Budget, in consultation with the Task Force, shall submit to 
        Congress and make available to the public, including on the 
        internet, a financial report that is certified by the head of 
        each agency represented by the Task Force.
            ``(2) Contents.--The report shall contain an interagency 
        crosscut budget relating to Puget Sound recovery and protection 
        activities that displays--
                    ``(A) the proposed funding for any Federal recovery 
                and protection activity to be carried out in the 
                succeeding fiscal year, including any planned 
                interagency or intra-agency transfer, for each of the 
                Federal agencies that carry out recovery and protection 
                activities;
                    ``(B) the estimated expenditures for Federal 
                recovery and protection activities from the preceding 2 
                fiscal years, the current fiscal year, and the 
                succeeding fiscal year; and
                    ``(C) the estimated expenditures for Federal 
                environmental research and monitoring programs from the 
                preceding 2 fiscal years, the current fiscal year, and 
                the succeeding fiscal year.
            ``(3) Included recovery activities.--With respect to 
        activities described in the report, the report shall only 
        describe activities that--
                    ``(A) for Federal recovery or protection 
                activities, have funding amounts not less than 
                $100,000; and
                    ``(B) for Federal environmental research and 
                monitoring programs, have funding amounts not less than 
                $100,000.
            ``(4) Submission to congress.--The Director shall submit 
        the report to--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the 
                Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Energy 
                and Commerce, and the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
                    ``(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the 
                Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the 
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
                the Senate.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to any other 
funds authorized to be appropriated for activities related to Puget 
Sound, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
    ``(j) Preservation of Treaty Obligations and Existing Federal 
Status.--
            ``(1) Tribal treaty rights.--This Act is not intended to, 
        and shall not, in any way limit, condition, abrogate, authorize 
        the regulation of, or otherwise adversely affect any right 
        reserved by treaty between the United States and one or more 
        Indian Tribes.
            ``(2) National estuary program.--Nothing in this Act shall 
        alter the requirements or status of the Puget Sound under the 
        National Estuary Program.
            ``(3) Other federal law.--Nothing in this Act shall modify 
        the requirements and procedures of other Federal law.
    ``(k) Consistency.--Actions authorized or implemented under this 
Act shall be consistent with--
            ``(1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the State of 
        Washington's federally approved salmon recovery plans;
            ``(2) the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, its 
        reauthorizing amendments, and the State of Washington's 
        federally approved coastal nonpoint pollution control program;
            ``(3) the State of Washington's federally approved State 
        water quality standards; and
            ``(4) other applicable Federal requirements.''.
                                 <all>