Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

Senate Bill

S. 216

119th Congress

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

Held at the desk.

Introduced:Jan 23, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Dan Sullivan

Senator

Republican

AK

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary

This bill reauthorizes the NOAA Marine Debris Program through FY2029 and the Marine Debris Foundation for FY2025. It modifies program administration to allow in-kind contributions and expands agreement types for projects. The foundation receives organizational updates including CEO designation and expanded authority to match contributions from tribes and foreign governments. New tribal outreach requirements are established.

Latest Action

Presented to President.

SponsorDan Sullivan (R-AK)

Introduced1/23/2025

StatusHeld at the desk.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

This bill reauthorizes the NOAA Marine Debris Program through FY2029 and the Marine Debris Foundation for FY2025. It modifies program administration to allow in-kind contributions and expands agreement types for projects. The foundation receives organizational

Community Breakdown

Pass

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Fail

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0 predictions

This bill reauthorizes the NOAA Marine Debris Program through FY2029 and the Marine Debris Foundation for FY2025. It modifies program administration to allow in-kind contributions and expands agreement types for projects. The foundation receives organizational updates including CEO designation and expanded authority to match contributions from tribes and foreign governments. New tribal outreach requirements are established.

Bill Number: 216
Sponsor: Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Introduced: 1/23/2025
Status: Held at the desk.
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
Bill Number: 216
Sponsor: Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Status: Held at the desk.
Introduced: 1/23/2025
Summary: This bill reauthorizes the NOAA Marine Debris Program through FY2029 and the Marine Debris Foundation for FY2025. It modifies program administration to allow in-kind contributions and expands agreement types for projects. The foundation receives organizational updates including CEO designation and e

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill reauthorizes the NOAA Marine Debris Program through FY2029 and the Marine Debris Foundation for FY2025. It modifies program administration to allow in-kind contributions and expands agreement types for projects. The foundation receives organizational updates including CEO designation and expanded authority to match contributions from tribes and foreign governments. New tribal outreach requirements are established.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments ActThis bill reauthorizes and modifies administration of Marine Debris Program (MDP) activities and the Marine Debris Foundation. (The program and the foundation support efforts to assess, prevent, and otherwise address marine debris and its adverse impacts on the U.S. economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety.)First, the bill reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Marine Debris Program through FY2029. The bill authorizes NOAA to provide contributions for MDP project costs on an in-kind basis in an amount that NOAA determines represents the value it derives from the project. The bill also authorizes NOAA to enter into agreements other than cooperative agreements, contracts, and grant agreements for projects.Next, the bill modifies requirements for the Marine Debris Foundation and reauthorizes it for FY2025. Among other changes, the bill designates the current Chief Operating Officer (i.e., the first officer or employee appointed by the board) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and specifies that the board has the authority to appoint, review the performance of, and remove the CEO. The bill authorizes the CEO to appoint, supervise, and remove foundation employees and officers.Further, the bill directs the foundation to develop and implement best practices for conducting outreach to Indian tribes and tribal governments. The foundation must locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community.Finally, the bill authorizes the foundation to match contributions from regional organizations, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and foreign governments.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Reauthorizes Marine Debris Program through FY2029
Reauthorizes Marine Debris Foundation for FY2025
Allows in-kind contributions for project costs
Designates Chief Executive Officer for foundation
Requires tribal outreach best practices development

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Marine debris, including plastic pollution, poses significant threats to ocean ecosystems, navigation safety, and coastal economies. This reauthorization ensures continued federal support for debris assessment, prevention, and cleanup. The tribal engagement provisions recognize the importance of coastal tribal communities in marine stewardship. The administrative updates improve foundation operations.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Subjects

Aquatic ecology

Charitable contributions

Department of Commerce

Indian social and development programs

International organizations and cooperation

Marine pollution

Public contracts and procurement

Public-private cooperation

Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Water quality

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

216, 119th Congress (2025). "Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-216

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