Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026

This bill would change the Marine Mammal Protection Act to let certain federally recognized Indian Tribes kill California sea lions and Eastern Steller sea lions in the Columbia River and its tributaries in Washington and Oregon, from the river's mouth up to McNary Dam. Tribes with ancestral ties to these waters could kill the sea lions with no limit on number or timing, and the animals would not need to be individually identified. Each Tribe would decide what methods are humane and appropriate, and could name a person to carry out the killing on its behalf. The bill states that it does not limit existing Tribal rights under treaties or other laws.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors