Sponsors (3)
The bill broadens and clarifies who can access federal marine-debris programs and gives NOAA and a new Foundation more flexible tools to support projects, but it shifts program delivery toward in-kind support and new governance arrangements that may increase administrative burdens, reduce cash flexibility, raise equity and oversight concerns, and risk diverting limited funds from some domestic priorities.
Tribal governments, tribal organizations, and residents on tribal lands will gain clearer access, tailored outreach, technical assistance, and capacity-building to participate in marine debris programs and grants.
Local and state governments, nonprofits, and contractors will be able to receive NOAA in-kind support and NOAA can use more flexible 'other agreements', enabling projects that leverage NOAA assets or services to proceed without new appropriations.
Coastal shoreline communities, local governments, and nonprofits will have clearer legal definitions (including for 'coastal shoreline community', 'nonprofit', and 'post-consumer materials management/circular economy'), improving eligibility, collaboration, and federal coordination on waste reduction and recycling projects.
Local governments, nonprofits, tribal organizations, and other partners could face increased administrative complexity across agencies and programs due to new in-kind arrangements, statutory redefinitions, and transfers that require updated guidance and grant rules.
Nonprofits, local governments, and tribes could see less direct cash funding (or cost-shifting to in-kind support), which may force them to cover uncovered project elements, reduce project flexibility, or limit funds available for other needs.
Taxpayers and domestic cleanup projects risk having limited U.S. funds directed to foreign governments or external recipients instead of prioritizing domestic marine-debris cleanup and capacity-building.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Reorganizes and updates the Marine Debris Act: transfers provisions, revises grant/agreement authority, strengthens Foundation governance, expands definitions and tribal outreach, and authorizes NOAA in‑kind contributions.
Introduced April 3, 2025 by Suzanne Bonamici · Last progress April 3, 2025
Reorganizes and updates the Marine Debris Act to consolidate and clarify existing programs, revise grant and agreement authority, and change the governance and authorities of the nonprofit Foundation that supports marine debris efforts. It expands definitions (including tribal and circular-economy terms), requires tribal outreach best practices, authorizes NOAA to provide in‑kind contributions for certain projects, and makes many conforming updates to agency titles and cross‑references.