Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2620
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-05T21:58:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 2620: Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
Purpose
This bill aims to enhance the management and effectiveness of efforts to address marine debris (trash and waste polluting oceans and waterways) by updating two key laws: the Marine Debris Act (from 2006) and the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (from 2020). It reorganizes and refines the structure of the Marine Debris Foundation—a nonprofit entity that supports debris cleanup and prevention—and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, which funds research, removal, and education on marine pollution.
Key Provisions
- Restructuring of Laws: Consolidates related sections from both acts into a single, organized framework under the Marine Debris Act, including new subtitles for NOAA/Coast Guard programs, the Foundation, and administration. This includes transferring and redesignating sections for clarity.
- Updates to NOAA's Marine Debris Program:
- Expands tools for funding projects, such as allowing "in-kind contributions" (non-cash support like equipment or services from NOAA) for certain contracts and agreements.
- Broadens partnerships to include more types of agreements beyond just grants and contracts.
- Enhancements to the Marine Debris Foundation:
- Changes its legal status from an "organization" to a "corporation" for better operational flexibility.
- Revises board of directors: Extends terms to 6 years, requires board recommendations for appointments (with approval from the Secretary of Commerce), adds the USAID Administrator to the board, and clarifies removal processes.
- Introduces a chief executive officer (CEO) role, appointed and overseen by the board, with authority to manage staff.
- Allows the Foundation to form nonprofit corporations and locate its main office in the National Capital Region (Washington, D.C. area) or a coastal community.
- Mandates development of best practices for outreach to Indian Tribes (federally recognized Native American groups), including technical assistance and awareness of funding opportunities, while clarifying that the bill does not replace formal government-to-government consultations or affect tribal treaties.
- Extends authorization of appropriations (federal funding approval) through fiscal year 2029 for the program and adds $2 million for fiscal year 2025 specifically for the Foundation.
- Expanded Definitions and Inclusivity: Adds or updates terms like "circular economy" (a system focused on reducing waste through reuse and recycling), "coastal shoreline community," "Indian Tribe," "Tribal Government," and "nonprofit organization." Emphasizes inclusion of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations in funding and activities.
- Conforming Changes: Replaces outdated terms (e.g., "Administrator" with "Under Secretary" for NOAA leadership) and ensures consistent references across the laws.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Integration and Reorganization: Merges provisions from the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act into the Marine Debris Act, eliminating redundancy and creating a unified legal structure. This includes moving sections on international cooperation and administration to new subtitles.
- Governance Improvements: Shifts Foundation board appointments to require Commerce Department approval, lengthens director terms from shorter periods to 6 years, and formalizes a CEO position—previously implied but not explicit—for stronger leadership.
- Funding and Partnership Expansions: Introduces in-kind contributions for NOAA projects, broadens eligible partners to include Tribes, regional groups, and foreign governments, and extends program funding from 2024 to 2029.
- Tribal Focus: Explicitly adds Indian Tribes to purposes, funding eligibility, and outreach requirements, which were minimally addressed before. Removes some repetitive definitions to streamline the text.
- Terminology Updates: Standardizes references (e.g., "Tribal Government" capitalized for specificity) and aligns with modern environmental concepts like post-consumer materials management (handling waste after use).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: NOAA gains flexibility in project funding and administration, potentially reducing costs through in-kind support. The Foundation's updated governance could improve efficiency in grant distribution and partnerships. The EPA and USAID may see increased coordination on debris issues. Overall, this streamlines federal efforts, possibly leading to faster response to marine pollution events.
- On Citizens: Coastal communities, including those near oceans, estuaries, or the Great Lakes, benefit from better-organized cleanup and prevention programs, reducing health and environmental risks from debris. Tribes gain targeted support, promoting equitable access to resources and technical help.
- On International Relations: Expands cooperation with foreign governments and regional organizations, strengthening U.S. leadership in global marine conservation. This could enhance diplomatic ties on environmental issues, especially in shared waterways like the Pacific.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: NOAA (primary administrator), U.S. Coast Guard, EPA, and USAID (board involvement).
- Tribal Entities: Indian Tribes and Tribal Governments/Organizations, now explicitly included in funding, outreach, and partnerships.
- Nonprofits and Communities: The Marine Debris Foundation, coastal shoreline communities, regional organizations, and nonprofits focused on environmental cleanup.
- Other Groups: State/local governments, foreign governments, and private sector partners involved in debris removal and recycling.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill reinforces existing environmental statutes without creating new mandates, but its reorganization could simplify enforcement and compliance. The emphasis on best practices for Tribes aligns with federal trust responsibilities (U.S. government's duty to support Native nations) without altering consultation requirements or treaties, avoiding potential legal challenges.
- Constitutional: No direct impacts on core rights like free speech or due process; it supports the Commerce Clause (federal regulation of interstate/environmental issues) by improving marine resource management.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan environmental priorities (introduced by Democrats but referred to key committees), potentially appealing across parties for ocean health. Inclusion of Tribes addresses equity concerns, fostering goodwill with Native communities, while extended funding signals sustained commitment amid budget debates. No overt partisan elements, focusing on administrative efficiency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsors (2)
Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (14 pages)