Sponsors (3)
The bill strengthens and broadens federal tools, governance, and eligibility to accelerate marine debris prevention and cleanup—improving inclusion for Tribal and regional partners—but does so by increasing administrative flexibility and new agreement types that raise transparency, cost‑shifting, and foreign‑funding risks that will require careful oversight.
Coastal communities, local governments, and marine environments will receive stronger, better‑governed federal support for marine debris removal and prevention through a formalized Foundation and NOAA authorities (including the ability to provide in‑kind contributions), enabling more cleanup and prevention projects to proceed.
Indian Tribes and Tribal Governments will have clearer eligibility, outreach, and technical assistance pathways—making it easier for Tribal entities to access grants and participate in programs under the Act.
NOAA and partner organizations (state/local governments, nonprofits) gain increased administrative flexibility to partner via contracts, in‑kind contributions, and other agreement types, broadening how projects can be structured and resourced.
Taxpayers, nonprofits, and local/state governments may face reduced transparency and oversight because using contracts, in‑kind agreements, and centralized Foundation leadership can substitute for open competitive grants and concentrate decision‑making authority.
Non‑federal partners (nonprofits, states, localities) risk shouldering shifted costs and administrative burdens—NOAA in‑kind contributions and broader partnership rules can lead to valuation/accounting disputes, unreimbursed obligations, and implementation delays.
Expanding eligible recipients to include foreign governments introduces the risk that U.S. appropriated funds could be directed abroad, potentially reducing the pool of domestic grant funding.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Consolidates Save Our Seas 2.0 provisions into the Marine Debris Act, adds NOAA in‑kind contribution authority, updates Foundation governance, expands definitions, and makes technical conforming edits.
Official title: To amend the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to improve the administration of the Marine Debris Foundation, to amend the Marine Debris Act to improve the administration of the Marine Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 3, 2025 by Suzanne Bonamici · Last progress April 3, 2025
Reorganizes and updates the Marine Debris Act and the Marine Debris Foundation authorities, moving and renumbering provisions from the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act into the Marine Debris Act and making technical and substantive changes. Key changes include a new NOAA authority to provide in-kind contributions for non‑grant projects, updated Foundation governance (board, CEO, principal office location), expanded definitions (including Tribal entities and circular economy terms), and numerous conforming cross-reference and title updates.