[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H1076-H1078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SAVE OUR SEAS 2.0 AMENDMENTS ACT

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 886) 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, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 886

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. MODIFICATIONS TO THE MARINE DEBRIS PROGRAM OF THE 
                   NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--The Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109-449) 
     is amended by inserting before section 3 the following:

             ``Subtitle A--NOAA And Coast Guard Programs''.

       (b) Grants, Cooperative Agreements, Contracts, and Other 
     Agreements.--Section 3(d) of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 
     1952(d)) is amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading by striking ``and Contracts'' 
     and inserting ``Contracts, and Other Agreements'';
       (2) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and contracts'' and 
     inserting ``, contracts, and other agreements'';
       (3) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) by striking ``part of the'' and inserting ``part of 
     a''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``or (C)'' after ``subparagraph (A)''; 
     and
       (B) in subparagraph (C) in the matter preceding clause (i) 
     by inserting ``and except as provided in subparagraph (B)'' 
     after ``subparagraph (A)''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) In-kind contributions.--With respect to any project 
     carried out pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered 
     into under paragraph (1) that is not a cooperative agreement 
     or an agreement to provide financial assistance in the form 
     of a grant, the Under Secretary may contribute on an in-kind 
     basis the portion of the costs of the project that the Under 
     Secretary determines represents the amount of benefit the 
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration derives from 
     the project.''.
       (c) Receipt and Expenditure of Funds; Use of Resources.--
     Section 3 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 1952) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(e) Receipt and Expenditure of Funds.--In order to 
     accomplish the purpose set forth in section 2, the Under 
     Secretary, acting through the Program, may receive and, only 
     to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, 
     expend funds made available by--
       ``(1) any department, agency, or instrumentality of the 
     United States;
       ``(2) any State or local government (or any political 
     subdivision thereof);
       ``(3) any Indian tribe;
       ``(4) any foreign government or international organization;
       ``(5) any public or private organization; or
       ``(6) any individual.
       ``(f) Use of Resources.--In order to accomplish the purpose 
     set forth in section 2, the Under Secretary, acting through 
     the Program, may use, with consent, with reimbursement, and 
     subject to the availability of appropriations, the land, 
     services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of--
       ``(1) any department, agency, or instrumentality of the 
     United States;
       ``(2) any State or local government (or any political 
     subdivision thereof);
       ``(3) any Indian tribe;
       ``(4) any foreign government or international organization;
       ``(5) any public or private organization; or
       ``(6) any individual.''.

     SEC. 3. MODIFICATIONS TO THE MARINE DEBRIS FOUNDATION.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle B of title I of the Save Our Seas 
     2.0 Act (Public Law 116-224) is transferred to appear after 
     section 6 of the Marine Debris Act (P.L. 109-449).
       (b) Status of Foundation.--Section 111(a) of the Marine 
     Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by this Act, 
     is amended, in the second sentence, by striking 
     ``organization'' and inserting ``corporation''.
       (c) Board of Directors.--
       (1) Appointment, vacancies, and removal.--Section 112(b) of 
     the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by 
     this Act, is amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (6) respectively;
       (B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the 
     following:
       ``(1) Recommendations of board regarding appointments.--For 
     appointments made under paragraph (2), the Board shall submit 
     to the Under Secretary recommendations on candidates for 
     appointment.'';
       (C) in paragraph (2), as redesignated, in the matter 
     preceding subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by striking ``and considering'' and inserting 
     ``considering''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``and with the approval of the Secretary 
     of Commerce,'' after ``by the Board,'';
       (D) in paragraph (4)(A), as redesignated, by inserting 
     ``with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce'' after 
     ``the Board'';
       (E) by amending paragraph (3), as redesignated, to read as 
     follows:
       ``(3) Terms.--Any Director appointed under paragraph (2) 
     shall be appointed for a term of 6 years.''; and
       (F) in paragraph (6), as redesignated--
       (i) by inserting ``the Administrator of the United States 
     Agency for International Development,'' after ``Service,''; 
     and
       (ii) by inserting ``and with the approval of the Secretary 
     of Commerce'' after ``EPA Administrator''.
       (2) General powers.--Section 112(g) of the Marine Debris 
     Act (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by this Act, is 
     amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(A) by striking ``officers and 
     employees'' and inserting ``the initial officers and 
     employees''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i) by striking ``its chief 
     operating officer'' and inserting ``the chief executive 
     officer of the Foundation''.
       (3) Chief executive officer.--Section 112 of the Marine 
     Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by this Act, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) Chief Executive Officer.--
       ``(1) Appointment; removal; review.--The Board may appoint, 
     remove, and review the performance of the chief executive 
     officer of the Foundation.
       ``(2) Powers.--The chief executive officer of the 
     Foundation may appoint, remove, and review the performance of 
     any officer or employee of the Foundation.''.
       (d) Powers of Foundation.--Section 113(c)(1) of the Marine 
     Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by this Act, 
     is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
       (1) by inserting ``nonprofit'' before ``corporation''; and
       (2) by striking ``acting as a trustee'' and inserting 
     ``formed''.
       (e) Principal Office.--Section 113 of the Marine Debris Act 
     (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by this Act, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Principal Office.--The Board shall locate the 
     principal office of the Foundation in the National Capital 
     Region, as such term is defined in section 2674(f)(2) of 
     title 10, United States Code, or a coastal shoreline 
     community.''.
       (f) Best Practices.--Section 113 of the Marine Debris Act 
     (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by this Act and amended 
     by subsection (e), is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(h) Best Practices.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Foundation shall develop and 
     implement best practices for conducting outreach to Indian 
     Tribes.
       ``(2) Requirements.--The best practices developed under 
     paragraph (1) shall--
       ``(A) include a process to support technical assistance and 
     capacity building to improve outcomes; and
       ``(B) promote an awareness of programs and grants available 
     under this Act.''.

[[Page H1077]]

       (g) Use of Funds.--Section 118 of the Marine Debris Act 
     (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by this Act, is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``2024'' and inserting 
     ``2025'' and
       (B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``and State and local 
     government agencies'' and inserting ``, State and local 
     government agencies, United States and international 
     nongovernmental organizations, regional organizations, Indian 
     Tribes, Tribal organizations, and foreign government 
     entities''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ``and State and local 
     government agencies'' and inserting ``, State and local 
     government agencies, United States and international 
     nongovernmental organizations, regional organizations, Indian 
     Tribes, Tribal organizations, and foreign government 
     entities''.
       (i) Authorization.--Section 9(a) of the Marine Debris Act 
     (33 U.S.C. 1958) is amended by striking ``fiscal year 2023'' 
     and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025''.

     SEC. 4. TRANSFERS.

       (a) Save Our Seas 2.0 Act.--Subtitle C of title I of the 
     Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 116-224) is transferred to 
     appear after section 119 of the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 
     109-449) as transferred and redesignated by this Act.
       (b) Marine Debris Act.--The Marine Debris Act (Public Law 
     109-449) is amended--
       (1) by transferring sections 7, 8, and 9 to appear after 
     section 127, as transferred by this Act, and redesignated as 
     sections 131, 132, and 133, respectively; and
       (2) by inserting before section 131, as so transferred and 
     redesignated, the following:

                    ``Subtitle D--Administration''.

     SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 131 of the Marine Debris Act 
     (Public Law 109-449), as transferred and redesignated by this 
     Act, is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1);
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), 
     and (7) as paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (11), (12), and (13), 
     respectively;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(1) Circular economy.--The term `circular economy' has 
     the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 
     2.0 Act (Public Law 116-224).
       ``(2) Coastal shoreline community.--The term `coastal 
     shoreline community' means a city or county directly adjacent 
     to the open ocean, major estuaries, or the Great Lakes.
       ``(3) EPA administrator.--The term `EPA Administrator' has 
     the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 
     2.0 Act (Public Law 116-224).
       ``(4) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     5304).'';
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (8), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(9) Nonprofit organization.--The term `nonprofit 
     organization' has the meaning given such term in section 2 of 
     the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 116-224).
       ``(10) Post consumer materials management.--The term `post-
     consumer materials management' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (Public Law 
     116-224).'';
       (5) by inserting after paragraph (13), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(14) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian 
     Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     5304).
       ``(15) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 
     Act (Public Law 116-224).''; and
       (6) in paragraph (13), as so redesignated--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as 
     subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E); and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) Indian Tribe;''.
       (b) Transfer.--
       (1) In general.--Section 2(7) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act 
     (Public Law 116-224) is transferred to section 131 of the 
     Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), inserted after 
     paragraph (8) (as redesignated), and redesignated as 
     paragraph (8).
       (2) Redesignation.--Section 2 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act 
     (Public Law 116-224) is amended by redesignating paragraphs 
     (8) through (11) as paragraphs (7) through (10), 
     respectively.
       (c) Non-federal Funds.--Paragraph (8)(D) of section 131 of 
     the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), as transferred 
     and redesignated by this Act, is amended by striking ``(as 
     defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
     Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304))''.

     SEC. 6. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) In General.--In sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 of the Marine 
     Debris Act, and section 133 of the Marine Debris Act as 
     transferred and so redesignated by this Act, strike 
     ``Administrator'' and insert ``Under Secretary''.
       (b) Section 5.--In section 5 of the Marine Debris Act 
     strike--
       (1) ``Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration'' and insert ``Under Secretary''; and
       (2) ``Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency'' and insert ``EPA Administrator''.
       (c) Section 123.--In section 123, as transferred and so 
     redesignated by this Act, strike ``title I'' and insert 
     ``subtitle B''.
       (d) Section 131.--Paragraph (8)(D) of section 131 of the 
     Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), as transferred and 
     redesignated by this Act, is amended by striking ``(as 
     defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
     Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304))''.
       (e) Section 134.--Section 134 of the Marine Debris Act, as 
     transferred and so redesignated by this Act, strike 
     ``Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency'' and 
     insert ``EPA Administrator''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Graves) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 886.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 886 builds upon the work of previous Congresses to 
protect and preserve the quality of our oceans from marine debris.
  This measure was reported favorably from both the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the Committee on Natural 
Resources. This reconciled version before us today was collaborated on 
and agreed to by both committees and would enhance the capabilities of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration without imposing 
any new mandates on industry or local government.
  It also encourages the Marine Debris Foundation to establish its 
principal office in a coastal community in the real world outside of 
Washington, D.C.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation. It is very close 
to my heart. I have worked on plastic pollution for many years.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), the author of this bill.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, the Save 
Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act.
  Marine debris is a serious problem. Unfortunately, much of marine 
debris is made up of plastic pollution. The ocean is littered with 
plastic bottles, straws, grocery bags, cigarette butts, fishing gear, 
and abandoned vehicles. Additionally, there are tiny pieces of plastic, 
microplastics, that make their way into marine life, blocking digestive 
tracts, altering growth, and, in some cases, killing marine mammals and 
threatening fisheries.
  We still don't know how long it takes for plastic to biodegrade 
completely. Estimates range from 500 years to never. A 2020 study from 
The Pew Charitable Trusts found that, every year, more than 11 million 
metric tons of plastic garbage enter the ocean, harming marine life and 
destroying ecosystems.
  If we do nothing to minimize ocean plastic pollution, it will nearly 
quadruple by 2040. We need to fundamentally change our reliance on 
plastics. Not only do they pollute the ocean, but they also exacerbate 
the climate crisis. The fossil fuel and plastics industries are 
connected, and plastics contribute to industrial emissions in the 
United States.
  A global challenge of this magnitude cannot be solved with a single 
bill. We should not limit our action to removing existing plastic from 
the ocean, and we cannot recycle our way out of plastic waste that ends 
up on our shores.
  We need comprehensive action, but today, we have the opportunity to 
build on our strong, bipartisan foundation of bicameral efforts to 
strengthen the NOAA Marine Debris Program and enhance the work of the 
Marine Debris Foundation.
  The bipartisan SOS 2.0 Act, which I worked on and authored with the 
late Congressman Don Young and Senators Sullivan and Whitehouse, is the 
most comprehensive legislation Congress has

[[Page H1078]]

passed to address marine debris that threatens coastal communities and 
ecosystems.
  The bill created a Marine Debris Foundation to support NOAA's work; 
advanced the removal and prevention of debris, including plastic waste; 
and established a pilot program to provide incentives for the proper 
disposal of marine debris collected at sea.
  Despite these important policies, current law does not effectively 
permit NOAA through the Marine Debris Program to assist and collaborate 
with foreign governments, international organizations, Tribal groups, 
and other organizations that may have the specific skills required to 
achieve the Marine Debris Act's goals.
  As co-chairs of the House Oceans Caucus, Representative Gonzalez-
Colon and I introduced the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act. This bill 
would amend the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and the Marine Debris Act to 
provide NOAA with greater flexibility to deliver Federal resources and 
enter into cooperative agreements to conduct marine debris prevention 
and cleanup.
  The ocean is resilient. We can help it heal, but we cannot afford to 
wait. We have significant work ahead of us to clean up and prevent 
marine debris, and the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act continues to 
build on our bipartisan foundation to protect the ocean.
  I thank the gentlewoman and co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus, 
Representative Gonzalez-Colon, for her partnership on this bill. I 
thank our Senate colleagues, Senator Dan Sullivan and Senator Sheldon 
Whitehouse. I also thank Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen, as 
well as Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan 
bill to strengthen the Federal response to marine debris and to 
continue to make ocean health a priority for future generations.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further 
speakers, so I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Bonamici for bringing this 
legislation, and I also want to reflect on a group that I am familiar 
with called the Plastic Pollution Coalition that is headed up by Ms. 
Dianna Cohen and her sister, no relation to me. They have done great 
work on plastic and bringing the public's attention to the dangers of 
plastic in our environment.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the legislation and urge all others to support 
it. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, this bill is an important next 
step to help remove marine debris and protect our oceans without 
instituting any new burdensome requirements.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 886, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________