[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.
____________________