# 119-s-216: Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

119-s-216, Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-AK); status became_law; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-216
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-216
- Congress: 119
- Title: Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
- Status: became_law
- Introduced: 2025-01-23
- Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-AK)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Consolidates Save Our Seas 2.0 into the Marine Debris Act and reorganizes federal marine debris authorities.** The law recasts NOAA and Coast Guard program rules, harmonizes definitions, and expands who can receive grants and technical support.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (D-RI), 2025-01-23T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- More flexible NOAA project deals: benefit, low. The law lets NOAA run marine debris projects using contracts and other agreements, not just grants and cooperative agreements. For projects under those contracts or agreements, NOAA can give in‑kind support up to the share that reflects NOAA’s benefit from the project. This can lower cash costs for…
- Marine debris programs funded through 2029: benefit, low. The law keeps Marine Debris Act activities authorized for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2029. NOAA and partners can keep running and funding these programs under the Act. This takes effect upon enactment.
- Stronger marine debris foundation and Tribal outreach: benefit, low. The law reforms the National Marine Debris Foundation. The Board recommends candidates for some seats and some appointments need the Commerce Secretary’s approval. Certain Directors serve six‑year terms. The Board hires and can remove the CEO, and the CEO manages staff. The Foundation is a nonprofi…
- Updated terms and definitions across the Act: mixed, low. The law updates titles and definitions in the Marine Debris Act. It names the NOAA Under Secretary, instead of the Administrator, in key sections. It adds definitions for circular economy, coastal shoreline community, and the EPA Administrator. It also removes a cross‑reference in the definition of…

## Related bills

- 119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-4949: Water Resources Development Act of 2026
- 119-s-688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-216 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/216)

## Related
- [119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-524)
- [119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3923)
- [119-s-4949: Water Resources Development Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4949)
- [119-s-688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-688)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-216 (as of 2026-09-10).