The Senate passed a bipartisan bill Tuesday reauthorizing a law that seeks to reduce ocean trash.
The “Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act,” S. 216, from Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), would authorize $15 million each year from 2025 through 2029 for NOAA to operate the Marine Debris Program. The bill passed by unanimous consent.
The Marine Debris Program studies ways to reduce ocean plastic pollution. NOAA allocated $36 million to the program in 2024, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
The bill that passed Tuesday would also require the Marine Debris Foundation’s board to appoint a chief executive officer, allow the foundation to receive additional funding from both governmental and nongovernmental sources, and permit in-kind contributions from NOAA.
