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S. 216

U.S. SenatePassed

Summary

S. 216, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act, was introduced in the Senate on Jan 23, 2025 by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) with 1 co-sponsor. It last saw action on Dec 26, 2025: Became Public Law No: 119-65. It is now Public Law 119-65.


Record

Text

S. 216 has 1 co-sponsor.

sb216/enrolled.txt
S216 ENR: Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
U.S. Senate
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
One Hundred Nineteenth Congress of the United States of America
1st Session
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty five
S. 216
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
AN ACT
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.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act .
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:
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.
.
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
(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 .
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:
D
Administration
.
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 )) .
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 .
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate

Tracker

The tracker indicates the progress of this legislation as it moves through the legislative process.

  1. Introduced2025-01-23
  2. Passed Senate2025-05-20
  3. Passed House2025-12-15
  4. Conference
  5. To President2025-12-18
  6. Became Law2025-12-26

CRS Summary

The summaries are the Congressional Research Service’s, one per stage. Read them in full.

Passed Senate May 20, 2025

sb216/passed-senate.md

Shown Here:
Passed Senate (05/20/2025)

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 authorizes the CEO to appoint, supervise, and remove foundation employees and officers.

Further, the bill directs the foundation to develop and implement best practices for conducting outreach to Indian tribes and tribal governments. The foundation must locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community.

Finally, the bill authorizes the foundation to match contributions from regional organizations, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and foreign governments.

Sponsors

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) sponsors S. 216, and 1 member has co-sponsored it from the day it was introduced.

Committees

S. 216 went before 1 committee: Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Reported By · Apr 8, 2025 · 458 Bills

Reports

1 committee report has been filed on S. 216, the latest S. Rept. 119-12.

Actions

S. 216 has taken 19 actions since Jan 23, 2025, the latest on Dec 26, 2025.

ChamberAction
Dec 26, 2025
Senate
Signed by President.
Dec 26, 2025
Senate
Became Public Law No: 119-65.
Dec 18, 2025
Senate
Presented to President.
Dec 15, 202515:25
House
Mr. Johnson (SD) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Dec 15, 202515:25
House
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5867-5869)

Votes

S. 216 has not gone to a roll call.

1 bill is related to S. 216, as Public law contains the text.

Titles

S. 216 goes by 6 titles, 4 of them short titles.

  • Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act — Short Titles from ENR (Enrolled) bill text
  • Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act — Display Title
  • Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act — Short Title(s) as Passed Senate
  • Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act — Short Title(s) as Reported to Senate
  • Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act — Short Title(s) as Introduced
  • A bill 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. — Official Title as Introduced

Cost estimate

The Congressional Budget Office has filed 1 estimate for S. 216, the latest on Mar 3, 2025.


Lobbying

6 clients hired 5 firms and 21 registered lobbyists who named S. 216 in 12 quarterly filings, 2025 to 2026. Reported under the Lobbying Disclosure Act; a filing’s income covers everything its registrant worked that quarter, so the amounts below are the filings’, not this bill’s.

Filed under Budget/Appropriations, Energy/Nuclear, Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries, Natural Resources, Trade (domestic/foreign), Environment/Superfund, Taxation/Internal Revenue Code, Clean Air and Water (quality).

Clients

Who paid to be heard, by how many filings named the bill.

ClientBusinessStateFirmsFilingsReported
AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCILDistrict of Columbia13
OCEAN CONSERVANCYDistrict of Columbia13
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, INC.District of Columbia13
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING ASSOCIATIONTrade association representing the flexible packaging industryMaryland11$50K
AMERICAN COATINGS ASSOCIATIONTrade association representing the paint and coatings industryDistrict of Columbia11$20K
PLASTICS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, INC.District of Columbia11

Firms

Registrants who filed on the bill, by filings.

Lobbyists

Named on the filings that cite the bill. The 20 named most often, of 21.

Filings

The documents themselves, on the Senate’s Lobbying Disclosure site, largest reported first.

ClientRegistrantPeriodReportedDocument
AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCILAMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL2025 fourth_quarter$6.8M4th Quarter - Report
AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCILAMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL2025 first_quarter$4.2M1st Quarter - Report
AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCILAMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL2026 first_quarter$3.8M1st Quarter - Report
OCEAN CONSERVANCYOCEAN CONSERVANCY2026 second_quarter$260K2nd Quarter - Report
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, INC.WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, INC.2026 second_quarter$220K2nd Quarter - Report
OCEAN CONSERVANCYOCEAN CONSERVANCY2026 first_quarter$202K1st Quarter - Report
PLASTICS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, INC.PLASTICS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, INC.2026 second_quarter$150K2nd Quarter - Report
OCEAN CONSERVANCYOCEAN CONSERVANCY2025 fourth_quarter$143K4th Quarter - Report
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, INC.WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, INC.2026 first_quarter$130K1st Quarter - Report
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, INC.WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, INC.2025 fourth_quarter$120K4th Quarter - Report
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING ASSOCIATIONCAPITOLINE CONSULTING, LLC2025 fourth_quarter$50K4th Quarter - Report
AMERICAN COATINGS ASSOCIATIONCAPITOLINE CONSULTING, LLC2025 fourth_quarter$20K4th Quarter - Report

Classification

The Congressional Research Service files S. 216 under Public Lands and Natural Resources, one of its 31 policy areas, and gives it 10 legislative subjects.

CRS Subjects

CRS assigns every bill one policy area from its 31; S. 216’s is Public Lands and Natural Resources.

s216/policy-areas.txt
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesAgriculture and FoodAnimalsArmed Forces and National SecurityArts, Culture, ReligionCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCommerceCongressCrime and Law EnforcementEconomics and Public FinanceEducationEmergency ManagementEnergyEnvironmental ProtectionFamiliesFinance and Financial SectorForeign Trade and International FinanceGovernment Operations and PoliticsHealthHousing and Community DevelopmentImmigrationInternational AffairsLabor and EmploymentLawNative AmericansScience, Technology, CommunicationsSocial WelfareSports and RecreationTaxationTransportation and Public WorksWater Resources Development

Legislative Subjects

S. 216 carries 10 of CRS’s legislative subjects, from Aquatic ecology to Water quality.

s216/subjects.txt
Aquatic ecologyCharitable contributionsDepartment of CommerceIndian social and development programsInternational organizations and cooperationMarine pollutionPublic contracts and procurementPublic-private cooperationSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsWater quality

Source: congress.gov · legiscan.com