S. 216 · Signed into law · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

Sponsor: Dan Sullivan (R-AK)

What it does

• Reauthorizes NOAA's Marine Debris Program through fiscal year 2029 with expanded authority to provide in-kind contributions for project costs.
• Permits NOAA to enter into agreements beyond traditional cooperative agreements, contracts, and grants for Marine Debris Program projects.
• Converts the Marine Debris Foundation's Chief Operating Officer to Chief Executive Officer role with board authority to appoint, review, and remove the CEO.
• Requires the Marine Debris Foundation to develop and implement outreach best practices to Indian tribes and tribal governments.

Official summary

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act This bill reauthorizes and modifies administration of Marine Debris Program (MDP) activities and the Marine Debris Foundation. (The program and the foundation support efforts to assess, prevent, and otherwise address marine debris and its adverse impacts on the U.S. economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety.) First, the bill reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Marine Debris Program through FY2029. The bill authorizes NOAA to provide contributions for MDP project costs on an in-kind basis in an amount that NOAA determines represents the value it derives from the project. The bill also authorizes NOAA to enter into agreements other than cooperative agreements, contracts, and grant agreements for projects. Next, the bill modifies requirements for the Marine Debris Foundation and reauthorizes it for FY2025. Among other changes, the bill designates the current Chief Operating Officer (i.e., the first officer or employee appointed by the board) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and specifies that the board has the authority to appoint, review the performance of, and remove the CEO. The bill…

Latest action

Dec 26, 2025: Became Public Law No: 119-65.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation