Sponsors (3)
The bill strengthens and clarifies the federal framework for marine debris prevention and removal—making programs more flexible and more inclusive of Tribes and partners—while shifting some costs and administrative burdens onto non‑federal partners and raising transparency and implementation concerns.
State and local governments, nonprofits, and coastal communities gain more flexible federal support because NOAA can use in‑kind contributions and enter contracts/other agreements to help cover project costs and partner on marine debris work.
Coastal communities and stakeholders get stronger, better‑governed support for marine debris removal and prevention through a formalized Foundation with clearer authority and governance structures.
Tribal governments, Tribal organizations, and residents are more clearly included and are likely to receive improved outreach, technical assistance, and eligibility for grants under the Act.
Nonprofits, state and local governments may face increased costs or obligations because NOAA's use of in‑kind contributions can shift more funding, services, or resource burdens onto project partners.
Project partners and agencies could experience added administrative burden, valuation disputes, and reimbursement delays as in‑kind agreements and updated statutory terms require accounting, legal review, and guidance updates.
Taxpayers and some partners may see reduced transparency and oversight because expanding contracts/other agreements (rather than competitive grants) and concentrating authority in a Foundation CEO can limit stakeholder influence and public scrutiny.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Consolidates Save Our Seas 2.0 into the Marine Debris Act, updates definitions and governance for the Marine Debris Foundation, and lets NOAA provide in-kind contributions to certain non‑grant projects.
Introduced April 3, 2025 by Suzanne Bonamici · Last progress April 3, 2025
Reorganizes and updates the Marine Debris Act by folding in provisions from the earlier Save Our Seas 2.0 law, revising definitions, and changing how the Marine Debris Foundation is structured and governed. It also gives NOAA authority to make in-kind contributions toward projects performed under contracts or non‑grant agreements and clarifies agency and Tribal outreach responsibilities without creating new mandatory funding or deadlines. The bill mainly makes structural and terminology changes: moving and renumbering sections, adding new defined terms (including Tribal and circular-economy language), creating a Foundation CEO role and Board appointment process changes, expanding eligible recipients to include Tribal entities and regional organizations, and making conforming edits to office titles and cross-references.