[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 211 (Monday, December 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H5867-H5869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SAVE OUR SEAS 2.0 AMENDMENTS ACT
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (S. 216) 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.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 216
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--
(1) by inserting before section 3 the following:
``Subtitle A--NOAA And Coast Guard Programs''; and
(2) by redesignating sections 3 through 6 as sections 101
through 104, respectively.
(b) Grants, Cooperative Agreements, Contracts, and Other
Agreements.--Section 101(d) of the Marine Debris Act (33
U.S.C. 1952(d)), as redesignated by this Act, 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.''.
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 104 of the Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), as
redesignated by this Act.
(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) Purposes.--Section 111(b) of the Marine Debris Act
(Public Law 109-449), as transferred and redesignated by this
Act, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3) by inserting ``Indian Tribes,'' after
``Tribal governments,''; and
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking ``title II'' and inserting
``subtitle C''.
(d) 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) 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.'';
(E) in paragraph (4)(A), as redesignated, by inserting
``with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce'' after
``the Board''; 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.--
[[Page H5868]]
``(1) Appointment; removal; review.--The Board shall
appoint and review the performance of, and may remove, 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.''.
(e) 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''.
(f) 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.''.
(g) Best Practices; Rule of Construction.--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 and Tribal Governments.
``(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.
``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be
construed--
``(1) to satisfy any requirement for government-to-
government consultation with Tribal Governments; or
``(2) to affect or modify any treaty or other right of any
Tribal Government.''.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 118(a) of the
Marine Debris Act (Public Law 109-449), as transferred by
this Act, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and $2,000,000 for
fiscal year 2025'' after ``through 2024''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and State and local
government agencies'' and inserting ``, State and local
government agencies, regional organizations, Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, and foreign governments''.
(i) Reauthorization.--Section 9(a) of the Marine Debris Act
(Public Law 109-449) is amended by striking ``for'' the first
place it appears and all that follows through ``carrying
out'' and inserting ``for each of fiscal years 2018 through
2029 for carrying out''.
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, 9 (as amended), and 10
to appear after section 127, as transferred by this Act, and
redesignated as sections 131, 132, 133, and 134,
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 before paragraph (5), as so redesignated,
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 before paragraph (11), 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 government.--The term `Tribal Government'
means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska
Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community,
component band, or component reservation, individually
identified (including parenthetically) in the list published
most recently as of the date of the enactment of the Save Our
Seas 2.0 Amendments Act pursuant to section 104 of the
Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C.
5131).
``(15) 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).
``(16) 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 (7) (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.--Sections 1 and 2 of the Marine Debris Act,
sections 101, 102, and 104 of the Marine Debris Act, as
redesignated by this Act, and section 133 of the Marine
Debris Act, as transferred and so redesignated by this Act,
are amended by striking ``Administrator'' and inserting
``Under Secretary''.
(b) Section 103.--Section 103 of the Marine Debris Act is
amended by--
(1) striking ``Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration'' and inserting ``Under
Secretary'';
(2) striking ``Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency'' and inserting ``EPA Administrator''; and
(3) in subsection (e)(3) by striking ``section 3'' and
inserting ``section 101''.
(c) Section 123.--Section 123 of the Marine Debris Act, as
transferred and so redesignated by this Act, is amended by
striking ``title I'' and inserting ``subtitle B''.
(d) Section 133.--Section 133 of the Marine Debris Act, as
transferred and so redesignated by this Act, is amended by
striking ``sections 3, 5, and 6'' and inserting ``sections
101, 103, and 104''.
(e) Section 134.--Section 134 of the Marine Debris Act, as
transferred and so redesignated by this Act, is amended by
striking ``Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency'' and inserting ``EPA Administrator''.
(f) Tribal Government.--Subtitle A of the Marine Debris
Act, as designated in this Act, is amended by striking
``tribal government'' and inserting ``Tribal Government''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Figures)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Dakota.
General Leave
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on
this bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from South Dakota?
There was no objection.
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act continues important
work that began last Congress, in the 118th Congress, to protect and
preserve the quality of our oceans from marine debris.
This bill will enhance the capabilities of NOAA to address the
adverse impacts of marine debris on the U.S. economy and navigational
safety, but it will not impose any new mandates on industry or local
government.
This bill also clarifies the proper functioning of the Marine Debris
Foundation and requires it to establish its principal office here in
Washington, D.C., or in a shoreline coastal community.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FIGURES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of S. 216, the Save Our Seas 2.0
Amendments Act.
[[Page H5869]]
Mr. Speaker, before I express support for that, I will associate
myself with the comments of my colleagues for the previous resolution,
condemning the violence against members of the National Guard from West
Virginia and condemning that horrific act that took the life of Army
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and has left Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew
Wolfe gravely injured.
Mr. Speaker, as it relates to the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act,
this bill will improve the administration of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program and the Marine
Debris Foundation so that it can respond more effectively to the
growing threats facing our coastal regions, of which I represent one in
Mobile, Alabama.
Each year, more than 11 million tons of plastic debris enters the
oceans, endangering the livelihood of communities, small businesses,
fishermen, and our food chain that rely on healthy waterways. Along
Alabama's coastal communities, we understand how critically important
reliable waterways are.
This legislation takes practical steps to support the Federal
programs responsible for removing debris and protecting the safety and
resilience of our coastal communities.
The bill improves NOAA's Marine Debris Program by giving the agency
clear authority to use new and existing tools to address pollution more
effectively and allowing NOAA to work faster and in closer partnership
with State and local governments, as well as Tribal nations,
nonprofits, and regional organizations.
The bill requires the Marine Debris Foundation to develop and
implement best practices for engaging with Tribal Governments to ensure
that they are included in the programs and funding designed to protect
the water resources.
Finally, this legislation extends vital funding for marine debris
removal efforts through 2029. It keeps programs running, supports long-
term planning, and gives communities confidence that Federal partners
are committed to protecting our waters and natural resources.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support my colleagues who have worked on
this important bipartisan legislation both here in the House, as well
as the Senate. I look forward to seeing it passed into law, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1530
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.
I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FIGURES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).
Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Figures for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, as the co-chair of the bipartisan Oceans Caucus, I rise
enthusiastically today in support of S. 216, the Senate companion to my
bipartisan legislation, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act.
Marine debris does not stay in one place. A plastic bottle tossed
inland can end up hundreds of miles away, wrapped around a propeller,
tangled in fishing gear, or broken down into microplastics that end up
in the food we eat. Across the country, communities see the damage
every day.
In the Pacific Northwest, crews use Marine Debris Program grants to
remove abandoned and derelict vessels--rusting tankers that leak fuel,
collapse into waterways, and scatter debris with every storm. These
removals protect ports, safeguard workers, and prevent thousands of
pounds of plastic and fiberglass from entering the ocean.
In Alaska and the Gulf Coast, the program targets ghost fishing gear,
including abandoned nets and traps. One abandoned net can trap fish,
seabirds, and marine mammals for decades. Through this program, local
partners recover that gear, return usable materials to fishers and
anglers, and stop the cycle of loss.
In the Great Lakes, communities use these funds to intercept plastic
before it reaches open water, cleaning up shorelines, restoring
habitats, and keeping microplastics out of the drinking water systems
that serve millions of people.
This program doesn't stop at cleanup. It fuels economies and
strengthens resilience. Since its creation in 2006, the Marine Debris
Program has removed more than 36,000 metric tons of debris. According
to NOAA, last year, the program's removal projects drove more than $474
million in tourism and $248 million in recreational value in just the
four States in which it operates.
The Marine Debris Program supports research and innovation that
address microplastics and microfibers, the invisible pollution shed
from tires, textiles, and everyday products. These particles show up in
ocean sediments, seafood, and even human bloodstreams. This program
helps the scientists track them, understand them, and stop them at the
source.
The Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act reauthorizes the Marine Debris
Program so communities can keep doing this important work. It also
makes targeted, responsible administrative fixes to the Marine Debris
Foundation, so the public-private partnerships deliver results faster
and more effectively.
The Senate passed this bipartisan bill unanimously earlier this year,
and today, Congress can send it to the President's desk.
We often think of plastic pollution as an overwhelming problem, and
we haven't made the strides necessary to solve it. The Marine Debris
Program and the Marine Debris Foundation are proven tools that make a
difference.
When Congress invests in practical solutions to save our seas by
empowering local leaders, scientists, fishers, and cleanup crews, it
makes measurable progress. This bill protects ecosystems, jobs, and
public health.
Mr. Speaker, clean water and a healthy ocean support every community
in this country, coastal and inland. I thank my colleagues,
Representatives Radewagen and Moylan, for co-leading this legislation,
and Senators Sullivan and Whitehouse for leading it in the Senate. I
urge my colleagues to support the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act.
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. FIGURES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, passing this bill is an important step that
we can take right now to help address the health and resilience of
coastal communities like those that I represent. I support S. 216, the
Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act, and I urge my colleagues to do the
same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance
of my time.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Bonamici said it right. This legislation will enable
NOAA to continue addressing the adverse impacts of marine debris on our
country's maritime economy and will ensure safe navigation on America's
waterways. Importantly, this legislation will promote clean water and
the protection of our natural resources without imposing new mandates
on industry or local governments.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the 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 South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, S. 216.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________