Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

The Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act updates the management and operations of the Marine Debris Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by Congress to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. This bill allows the Foundation to use federal funds for staff salaries during its initial years and permits its headquarters to be located in a coastal state rather than being restricted to Washington, D.C.

For the public, these changes are designed to make federal ocean cleanup efforts more efficient by giving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) more flexibility to partner with local organizations and provide resources for cleanup projects. Additionally, the bill requires the Foundation to improve its outreach and collaboration with Native American tribes on marine conservation efforts. While this specific bill passed the Senate in late 2022, its provisions were largely aimed at streamlining the administrative hurdles that slowed down the implementation of the original Save Our Seas 2.0 Act.