Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-65.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate voice vote
- Passed House voice vote
- To President
- Became Law
No one's position on it was recorded: the Senate by voice vote (members called out yes or no together), and the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together).
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act," seeks to update the administration of the Marine Debris Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program. It implements various structural changes, such as redesignating sections of the Marine Debris Act and transferring parts of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act. The legislation modifies the status of the Foundation to a nonprofit corporation and clarifies the roles of its Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. It also expands the scope of the Foundation's purposes to include Indian Tribes. Additionally, the act adjusts the authorization of appropriations and provides specific instructions for outreach to Tribal governments.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill expands the Foundation's purposes to include Indian Tribes and mandates outreach best practices.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill enhances the administration of marine debris programs to protect ocean environments.
- Scored +2
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill provides additional funding for the Marine Debris Program's mission.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Support for Indian Tribes: The bill adds "Indian Tribes" to the purposes of the Marine Debris Foundation, which could lead to more inclusive ocean debris management (Section 3(c)).
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Enhanced Outreach to Tribal Communities: The Foundation is required to develop best practices for outreach to Indian Tribes and Tribal Governments, including technical assistance and capacity building to improve outcomes (Section 3(g)).
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Increased Funding for Specific Years: The act adds $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 to the authorization of appropriations (Section 3(h)).
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Greater Inclusion of Local and Tribal Entities: The bill expands the list of entities that can receive funds to include regional organizations, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and foreign governments (Section 3(h)).
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Flexibility in Project Contributions: The Under Secretary may now contribute on an in-kind basis for certain projects, which could provide value to projects that are not strictly financial grants or cooperative agreements (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Requirement of Secretary Approval: Various appointments and actions by the Board now require the approval of the Secretary of Commerce, which adds an extra layer of oversight (Section 3(d)).
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Limitations on Tribal Government Consultation: The bill explicitly states that the developed best practices for outreach do not satisfy any requirement for government-to-government consultation with Tribal Governments (Section 3(g)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill expands the Foundation's purposes to include Indian Tribes and mandates outreach best practices.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill enhances the administration of marine debris programs to protect ocean environments.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill provides additional funding for the Marine Debris Program's mission.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight by requiring Secretary of Commerce approval for certain actions.
- Public Law (12/27/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 12/26/2025
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-65.
- 12/18/2025
- Presented to President.
- 12/15/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 216.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5867-5869)
- Mr. Johnson (SD) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 5/26/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/23/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 5/20/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3001-3002; text: CR S3001-3002)
- 4/8/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-12.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 40.
- 2/5/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island