We have received text from H.R. 8450: Save Willy Act of 2026. This bill was received on 2026-04-22, and currently has 9 cosponsors.
Here is a short summary of the bill:
This bill, known as the Save Willy Act of 2026, aims to establish a pilot program specifically designed to reduce the impact of vessel traffic on large cetaceans—such as whales—in the San Francisco Bay region. The main points of the bill can be summarized as follows:
Establishment of the Program
Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of the department overseeing the Coast Guard is tasked with launching a pilot program that features a new Cetacean Desk. This desk will be:
- Located within the San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service.
- Focused on improving coordination with the maritime industry to minimize risks such as vessel strikes and disturbances, and to track the presence of large cetaceans in the area.
Program Duration and Staffing
The pilot program is set for a duration of four years, requiring up to two full-time equivalent staff members to manage its operations while also assisting with other activities of the San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service. Additional support from existing Federal employees may also be utilized.
Engagement with Vessel Operators
Personnel from the Cetacean Desk will actively engage with vessel operators in areas where large cetaceans are present. This includes:
- Ensuring compliance with relevant laws and guidelines.
- Communicating sightings of large cetaceans to vessel operators to help them avoid interactions.
Data Sharing and Collaboration
The bill encourages real-time data sharing on cetacean sightings and movements between various organizations, including state entities and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), facilitating better decision-making for vessel operators.
Use of Technology
The Secretary will assess and potentially implement new technologies to enhance the effectiveness of the Cetacean Desk. This may involve:
- Tools for detecting and tracking large cetaceans.
- Improved data integration and dissemination methods from various sources.
- Enhanced communication capabilities with vessel operators.
Consultation with Stakeholders
Consultations will occur with a range of stakeholders including Tribal governments, the State of California, academic institutions, maritime industry representatives, local ports, and non-governmental organizations to ensure a multifaceted approach to the program.
Implementation of Local Variances
The Secretary has the authority to implement local variances to improve communication and coordination between vessel operators and the San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service. Such measures will aim to reduce the risk of large cetacean strikes while ensuring safe navigation practices.
Reporting Requirements
Annual reports will be required to evaluate the success of the program, focusing on:
- The operational status and effectiveness of the Cetacean Desk.
- The success of communications between the Cetacean Desk and the maritime industry.
- Data collection methods and stakeholder engagement.
Definitions
The bill includes specific definitions such as:
- "Large cetacean" refers to specific species of whales.
- "Cetacean Desk" is the newly established operational unit under this pilot program.
Relevant Companies
- GOOGL : Companies involved in maritime logistics or vessel operations may need to adapt to the new coordination requirements established by the CETacean Desk.
- CMI : This can include shipping companies, which may have to revise routes or operations to comply with the new requirements aimed at protecting large cetaceans.
Representative Sam Liccardo Bill Proposals
Here are some bills which have recently been proposed by Representative Sam Liccardo:
- H.R.8450: Save Willy Act of 2026
- H.R.8338: SAFER Act of 2026
- H.R.8013: Keep Innovators in America Act
- H.R.6533: Military in Law Enforcement Accountability Act
- H.R.6010: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and modify the enhanced premium tax credit, and for other purposes.
- H.R.5591: RESIDE Act
You can track bills proposed by Representative Sam Liccardo on Quiver Quantitative's politician page for Liccardo.
Representative Sam Liccardo Net Worth
Quiver Quantitative estimates that Representative Sam Liccardo is worth $8.4M, as of April 30th, 2026. This is the 121st highest net worth in Congress, per our live estimates.
Liccardo has approximately $695.6K invested in publicly traded assets which Quiver is able to track live.
You can track Representative Sam Liccardo's net worth on Quiver Quantitative's politician page for Liccardo.
2026 California's 16th Congressional District Election
There has been approximately $17,483,848 of spending in California's 16th congressional district elections over the last two years, per our estimates.
Approximately $8,156,255 of this has been from outside spending by PACs and Super PACs. Some of the groups who are spending money in this race include:
- NEIGHBORS FOR RESULTS ($2,998,240)
- EQUALITY PAC ($1,178,593)
- EQUALITY CALIFORNIA VOTES ($812,000)
- LET'S GET IT DONE PAC ($710,470)
- NATIONAL NURSES UNITED FOR PATIENT PROTECTION ($565,604)
The rating for this race is currently "Solid D".
You can track this election on our matchup page for the 2026 California's 16th congressional district election.
This article is not financial advice. See Quiver Quantitative's disclaimers for more information.
