Senate Introduces Bill to Reauthorize Regional Ocean Partnerships

Proposed legislation will provide continued support for voluntary, intergovernmental coordination on ocean and coastal issues

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., has introduced the Regional Ocean Partnership Reauthorization Act of 2026, which will reauthorize Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs) for the next five years and bring continued support for voluntary, intergovernmental coordination to address ocean and coastal issues. The bill has bipartisan support and aims to strengthen the "blue economy" and protect natural resources through regional collaboration.

Why it matters

Regional Ocean Partnerships have operated for nearly two decades, providing a platform for states to work together on common priorities for their coastlines and marine environments. The reauthorization bill will ensure continued funding and support for these voluntary, state-led initiatives that leverage public and private resources to address shared challenges.

The details

The proposed legislation will reauthorize four existing ROPs: the Gulf of America Alliance, the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, and the West Coast Ocean Alliance. These partnerships focus on issues identified by member states and foster coordination among a wide range of stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, local governments, communities, academia, non-profits, and industry.

  • The Regional Ocean Partnership Reauthorization Act of 2026 was introduced in the Senate on February 5, 2026.
  • If passed by Congress and signed by the President, the Act will reauthorize ROPs for the next five years.

The players

Sen. Roger Wicker

A Republican senator from Mississippi who introduced the reauthorization bill.

Chris Blankenship

Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Chair of the Alliance Management Team for the Gulf of America Alliance.

Gulf of America Alliance

The Regional Ocean Partnership for the Gulf of America region, designated by the governors of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

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What they’re saying

“It is important for states to work together to provide solutions for the issues our coasts face today. This bill promotes regional collaboration, builds stronger database portals, and leverages funding to strengthen our blue economy and protect natural resources.”

— Sen. Roger Wicker (einpresswire.com)

“Regional Ocean Partnerships sustain intentional, efficient coordination among stakeholders. Each ROP focuses on issues that are priorities for their region, as identified by its members. This puts states in the driver's seat on addressing common issues in a voluntary and collaborative way.”

— Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Chair of the Alliance Management Team (einpresswire.com)

What’s next

The bill will now go through the legislative process in Congress, with the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation expected to play a key role in its progress.

The takeaway

The reauthorization of Regional Ocean Partnerships demonstrates the continued importance of state-led, voluntary collaboration to address shared challenges and opportunities along America's coasts and in its marine environments. These regional partnerships leverage public and private resources to strengthen the "blue economy" and protect natural resources through coordinated action.