S. 1982 

One Hundred Sixteenth Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE SECOND SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, 

the third day of January, two thousand and twenty 

An Act 

To improve efforts to combat marine debris, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Save Our 

Seas 2.0 Act’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. Definitions. 

TITLE I—COMBATING MARINE DEBRIS 

Subtitle A—Amendments to the Marine Debris Act 

Sec. 101. Amendments to the Marine Debris Act. 

Subtitle B—Marine Debris Foundation 

Sec. 111. Establishment and purposes of Foundation. 

Sec. 112. Board of Directors of the Foundation. 

Sec. 113. Rights and obligations of the Foundation. 

Sec. 114. Administrative services and support. 

Sec. 115. Volunteer status. 

Sec. 116. Report requirements; petition of attorney general for equitable relief. 

Sec. 117. United States release from liability. 

Sec. 118. Authorization of appropriations. 

Sec. 119. Termination of authority. 

Subtitle C—Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations 

Sec. 121. Definitions. 

Sec. 122. Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations. 

Sec. 123. Agreement with the Marine Debris Foundation. 

Sec. 124. Judges. 

Sec. 125. Report to Congress. 

Sec. 126. Authorization of appropriations. 

Sec. 127. Termination of authority. 

Subtitle D—Studies, Pilot Projects, and Reports 

Sec. 131. Report on opportunities for innovative uses of plastic waste. 

Sec. 132. Report on microfiber pollution. 

Sec. 133. Study on United States plastic pollution data. 

Sec. 134. Study on mass balance methodologies to certify circular polymers. 

Sec. 135. Report on sources and impacts of derelict fishing gear. 

Sec. 136. Expansion of derelict vessel recycling. 

Sec. 137. Incentive for fishermen to collect and dispose of plastic found at sea. 

TITLE II—ENHANCED GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT TO COMBAT MARINE DEBRIS 

Sec. 201. Statement of policy on international cooperation to combat marine debris. 

Sec. 202. Prioritization of efforts and assistance to combat marine debris and improve plastic waste management. 

Sec. 203. United States leadership in international fora. 
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Sec. 204. Enhancing international outreach and partnership of United States agencies involved in marine debris activities. 

Sec. 205. Negotiation of new international agreements. 

Sec. 206. Consideration of marine debris in negotiating international agreements. 

TITLE III—IMPROVING DOMESTIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO PREVENT 

MARINE DEBRIS 

Sec. 301. Strategy for improving post-consumer materials management and water 

management. Sec. 302. Grant programs. 

Sec. 303. Study on repurposing plastic waste in infrastructure. 

Sec. 304. Study on effects of microplastics in food supplies and sources of drinking 

water. 

Sec. 305. Report on eliminating barriers to increase the collection of recyclable materials. 

Sec. 306. Report on economic incentives to spur development of new end-use markets for recycled plastics. Sec. 307. Report on minimizing the creation of new plastic waste. 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) CIRCULAR ECONOMY.—The term ‘‘circular economy’’ 

means an economy that uses a systems-focused approach and 

involves industrial processes and economic activities that— 

(A) are restorative or regenerative by design; 

(B) enable resources used in such processes and activities to maintain their highest values for as long as possible; 

and 

(C) aim for the elimination of waste through the superior design of materials, products, and systems (including 

business models). 

(2) EPA ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘EPA Administrator’’ 

means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 

Agency. 

(3) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ has the 

meaning given the term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ in section 4 of the 

Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 

U.S.C. 5304), without regard to capitalization. 

(4) INTERAGENCY MARINE DEBRIS COORDINATING COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating 

Committee’’ means the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating 

Committee established under section 5 of the Marine Debris 

Act (33 U.S.C. 1954). 

(5) MARINE DEBRIS.—The term ‘‘marine debris’’ has the 

meaning given that term in section 7 of the Marine Debris 

Act (33 U.S.C. 1956). 

(6) MARINE DEBRIS EVENT.—The term ‘‘marine debris event’’ 

means an event or related events that affects or may 

imminently affect the United States involving— 

(A) marine debris caused by a natural event, including 

a tsunami, flood, landslide, hurricane, or other natural 

source; 

(B) distinct, nonrecurring marine debris, including 

derelict vessel groundings and container spills, that have 

immediate or long-term impacts on habitats with high 

ecological, economic, or human-use values; or 

(C) marine debris caused by an intentional or grossly 

negligent act or acts that causes substantial economic or 

environmental harm. 

(7) NON-FEDERAL FUNDS.—The term ‘‘non-Federal funds’’ 

means funds provided by— 
S. 1982—3 

(A) a State; 

(B) an Indian Tribe; 

(C) a territory of the United States; 

(D) one or more units of local governments or Tribal 

organizations (as defined in section 4 of the Indian SelfDetermination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 

5304)); 

(E) a foreign government; 

(F) a private for-profit entity; 

(G) a nonprofit organization; or 

(H) a private individual. 

(8) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘nonprofit 

organization’’ means an organization that is described in section 

501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 

tax under section 501(a) of such Code. 

(9) POST-CONSUMER MATERIALS MANAGEMENT.—The term 

‘‘post-consumer materials management’’ means the systems, 

operation, supervision, and long-term management of processes 

and equipment used for post-use material (including packaging, 

goods, products, and other materials), including— 

(A) collection; 

(B) transport; 

(C) safe disposal of waste that cannot be recovered, 

reused, recycled, repaired, or refurbished; and 

(D) systems and processes related to post-use materials 

that can be recovered, reused, recycled, repaired, or refurbished. 

(10) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means— 

(A) a State; 

(B) an Indian Tribe; 

(C) the District of Columbia; 

(D) a territory or possession of the United States; or 

(E) any political subdivision of an entity described 

in subparagraphs (A) through (D). 

(11) UNDER SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Under Secretary’’ 

means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 

Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration. 

TITLE I—COMBATING MARINE DEBRIS 

Subtitle A—Amendments to the Marine 

Debris Act 

SEC. 101. AMENDMENTS TO THE MARINE DEBRIS ACT. 

The Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.) is amended— 

(1) in section 2 by striking ‘‘marine environment,’’ and 

inserting ‘‘marine environment (including waters in the jurisdiction of the United States, the high seas, and waters in the 

jurisdiction of other countries),’’; 

(2) in section 9(a)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘$10,000,000’’ and inserting 

‘‘$15,000,000’’; and 

(B) by striking ‘‘5 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘7 percent’’; 

and 
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(3) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘SEC. 10. PRIORITIZATION OF MARINE DEBRIS IN EXISTING INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS. 

‘‘In carrying out any relevant innovation and entrepreneurship 

programs that improve the innovation, effectiveness, and efficiency 

of the Marine Debris Program established under section 3 without 

undermining the purpose for which such program was established, 

the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the heads of 

other relevant Federal agencies, shall prioritize efforts to combat 

marine debris, including by— 

‘‘(1) increasing innovation in methods and the effectiveness 

of efforts to identify, determine sources of, assess, prevent, 

reduce, and remove marine debris; and 

‘‘(2) addressing the impacts of marine debris on— 

‘‘(A) the economy of the United States; 

‘‘(B) the marine environment; and 

‘‘(C) navigation safety.’’. 

Subtitle B—Marine Debris Foundation 

SEC. 111. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES OF FOUNDATION. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Marine Debris 

Foundation (in this title referred to as the ‘‘Foundation’’). The 

Foundation is a charitable and nonprofit organization and is not 

an agency or establishment of the United States. 

(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Foundation are— 

(1) to encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of 

property for the benefit of, or in connection with, the activities 

and services of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Marine Debris Program established under 

section 3 of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1952), and other 

relevant programs and agencies; 

(2) to undertake and conduct such other activities as will 

augment efforts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration to assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine 

debris and address the adverse impacts of marine debris on 

the economy of the United States, the marine environment, 

and navigation safety; 

(3) to participate with, and otherwise assist, State, local, 

and Tribal governments, foreign governments, entities, and 

individuals in undertaking and conducting activities to assess, 

prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris and address the 

adverse impacts of marine debris and its root causes on the 

economy of the United States, the marine environment 

(including waters in the jurisdiction of the United States, the 

high seas, and waters in the jurisdiction of other countries), 

and navigation safety; 

(4) subject to an agreement with the Secretary of Commerce, administer the Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovation as described in title II; and 

(5) to support other Federal actions to reduce marine 

debris. 

SEC. 112. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Foundation shall have a governing 

Board of Directors (in this title referred to as the ‘‘Board’’), 

which shall consist of the Under Secretary and 12 additional 

Directors appointed in accordance with subsection (b) from 

among individuals who are United States citizens. 

(2) REPRESENTATION OF DIVERSE POINTS OF VIEW.—To the 

maximum extent practicable, the membership of the Board 

shall represent diverse points of view relating to the assessment, prevention, reduction, and removal of marine debris. 

(3) NOT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—Appointment as a Director 

of the Foundation shall not constitute employment by, or the 

holding of an office of, the United States for the purpose of 

any Federal law. 

(b) APPOINTMENT AND TERMS.— 

(1) APPOINTMENT.—Subject to paragraph (2), after consulting with the EPA Administrator, the Director of the United 

States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Assistant Secretary of 

State for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and the Administrator of the 

United States Agency for International Development, and considering the recommendations submitted by the Board, the 

Under Secretary shall appoint 12 Directors who meet the criteria established by subsection (a), of whom— 

(A) at least 4 shall be educated or experienced in 

the assessment, prevention, reduction, or removal of marine 

debris, which may include an individual with expertise 

in post-consumer materials management or a circular 

economy; 

(B) at least 2 shall be educated or experienced in 

the assessment, prevention, reduction, or removal of marine 

debris outside the United States; 

(C) at least 2 shall be educated or experienced in 

ocean and coastal resource conservation science or policy; 

and 

(D) at least 2 shall be educated or experienced in 

international trade or foreign policy. 

(2) TERMS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Any Director appointed after the 

initial appointments are made under subparagraph (B) 

(other than the Under Secretary), shall be appointed for 

a term of 6 years. 

(B) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS TO NEW MEMBER POSITIONS.—Of the Directors appointed by the Under Secretary 

under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall appoint, 

not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 

of this Act— 

(i) 4 Directors for a term of 6 years; 

(ii) 4 Directors for a term of 4 years; and 

(iii) 4 Directors for a term of 2 years. 

(3) VACANCIES.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall fill a 

vacancy on the Board. 

(B) TERM OF APPOINTMENTS TO FILL UNEXPIRED

TERMS.—An individual appointed to fill a vacancy that 

occurs before the expiration of the term of a Director shall 

be appointed for the remainder of the term. 
S. 1982—6 

(4) REAPPOINTMENT.—An individual shall not serve more 

than 2 consecutive terms as a Director, excluding any term 

of less than 6 years. 

(5) CONSULTATION BEFORE REMOVAL.—The Under Secretary 

may remove a Director from the Board only after consultation 

with the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans 

and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, the 

Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and 

the EPA Administrator. 

(c) CHAIRMAN.—The Chairman shall be elected by the Board 

from its members for a 2-year term. 

(d) QUORUM.—A majority of the current membership of the 

Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 

(e) MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet at the call of the Chairman at least once a year. If a Director misses 3 consecutive regularly 

scheduled meetings, that individual may be removed from the Board 

and that vacancy filled in accordance with subsection (b). 

(f) REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.—Members of the Board shall 

serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for the actual and 

necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by them 

in the performance of the duties of the Foundation. 

(g) GENERAL POWERS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Board may complete the organization 

of the Foundation by— 

(A) appointing officers and employees; 

(B) adopting a constitution and bylaws consistent with 

the purposes of the Foundation and the provisions of this 

title; and 

(C) undertaking of other such acts as may be necessary 

to carry out the provisions of this title. 

(2) LIMITATIONS ON APPOINTMENT.—The following limitations apply with respect to the appointment of officers and 

employees of the Foundation: 

(A) Officers and employees may not be appointed until 

the Foundation has sufficient funds to pay them for their 

service. Officers and employees of the Foundation shall 

be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, 

United States Code, governing appointments in the 

competitive service, and may be paid without regard to 

the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 

53 of such title relating to classification and General 

Schedule pay rates. 

(B) The first officer or employee appointed by the Board 

shall be the Secretary of the Board who— 

(i) shall serve, at the direction of the Board, as 

its chief operating officer; and 

(ii) shall be knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to the assessment, prevention, reduction, 

and removal of marine debris. 

SEC. 113. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE FOUNDATION. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Foundation— 

(1) shall have perpetual succession; 

(2) may conduct business throughout the several States, 

territories, and possessions of the United States and abroad; 

and 
S. 1982—7 

(3) shall at all times maintain a designated agent authorized to accept service of process for the Foundation. 

(b) SERVICE OF PROCESS.—The serving of notice to, or service 

of process upon, the agent required under subsection (a)(3), or 

mailed to the business address of such agent, shall be deemed 

as service upon or notice to the Foundation. 

(c) POWERS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—To carry out its purposes under section 

111, the Foundation shall have, in addition to the powers 

otherwise given it under this title, the usual powers of a corporation acting as a trustee in the District of Columbia, 

including the power— 

(A) to accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and 

use any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely or in 

trust, of real or personal property or any income therefrom 

or other interest therein; 

(B) to acquire by purchase or exchange any real or 

personal property or interest therein; 

(C) to invest any funds provided to the Foundation 

by the Federal Government in obligations of the United 

States or in obligations or securities that are guaranteed 

or insured by the United States; 

(D) to deposit any funds provided to the Foundation 

by the Federal Government into accounts that are insured 

by an agency or instrumentality of the United States; 

(E) to make use of any interest or investment income 

that accrues as a consequence of actions taken under 

subparagraph (C) or (D) to carry out the purposes of the 

Foundation; 

(F) to use Federal funds to make payments under 

cooperative agreements to provide substantial long-term 

benefits for the assessment, prevention, reduction, and 

removal of marine debris; 

(G) unless otherwise required by the instrument of 

transfer, to sell, donate, lease, invest, reinvest, retain or 

otherwise dispose of any property or income therefrom; 

(H) to borrow money and issue bonds, debentures, or 

other debt instruments; 

(I) to sue and be sued, and complain and defend itself 

in any court of competent jurisdiction, except that the 

Directors of the Foundation shall not be personally liable, 

except for gross negligence; 

(J) to enter into contracts or other arrangements with, 

or provide financial assistance to, public agencies and private organizations and persons and to make such payments 

as may be necessary to carry out its functions; and 

(K) to do any and all acts necessary and proper to 

carry out the purposes of the Foundation. 

(2) NON-FEDERAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND.—A gift, 

devise, or bequest may be accepted by the Foundation without 

regard to whether the gift, devise, or bequest is encumbered, 

restricted, or subject to beneficial interests of private persons 

if any current or future interest in the gift, devise, or bequest 

is for the benefit of the Foundation. 

(d) NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.—The Foundation may 

not make a grant of Federal funds in an amount greater than 

$100,000 unless, by not later than 15 days before the grant is 
S. 1982—8 

made, the Foundation provides notice of the grant to the Member 

of Congress for the congressional district in which the project to 

be funded with the grant will be carried out. 

(e) COORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS.—Any efforts 

of the Foundation carried out in a foreign country, and any grants 

provided to an individual or entity in a foreign country, shall 

be made only with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, in 

consultation, as appropriate, with the Administrator of the United 

States Agency for International Development. 

(f) CONSULTATION WITH NOAA.—The Foundation shall consult 

with the Under Secretary during the planning of any restoration 

or remediation action using funds resulting from judgments or 

settlements relating to the damage to trust resources of the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

SEC. 114. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT. 

(a) PROVISION OF SERVICES.—The Under Secretary may provide 

personnel, facilities, and other administrative services to the 

Foundation, including reimbursement of expenses, not to exceed 

the current Federal Government per diem rates, for a period of 

up to 5 years beginning on the date of the enactment of this 

Act. 

(b) REIMBURSEMENT.—The Under Secretary shall require 

reimbursement from the Foundation for any administrative service 

provided under subsection (a). The Under Secretary shall deposit 

any reimbursement received under this subsection into the Treasury 

to the credit of the appropriations then current and chargeable 

for the cost of providing such services. 

SEC. 115. VOLUNTEER STATUS. 

The Secretary of Commerce may accept, without regard to 

the civil service classification laws, rules, or regulations, the services 

of the Foundation, the Board, and the officers and employees of 

the Board, without compensation from the Department of Commerce, as volunteers in the performance of the functions authorized 

in this title. 

SEC. 116. REPORT REQUIREMENTS; PETITION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL 

FOR EQUITABLE RELIEF. 

(a) REPORT.—The Foundation shall, as soon as practicable after 

the end of each fiscal year, transmit to the Committee on Commerce, 

Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 

Natural Resources, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 

House of Representatives a report— 

(1) describing the proceedings and activities of the Foundation during that fiscal year, including a full and complete 

statement of its receipts, expenditures, and investments; and 

(2) including a detailed statement of the recipient, amount, 

and purpose of each grant made by the Foundation in the 

fiscal year. 

(b) RELIEF WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FOUNDATION ACTS OR

FAILURE TO ACT.—If the Foundation— 

(1) engages in, or threatens to engage in, any act, practice, 

or policy that is inconsistent with its purposes set forth in 

section 111(b); or 

(2) refuses, fails, or neglects to discharge its obligations 

under this title, or threatens to do so, 
S. 1982—9 

the Attorney General may petition in the United States District 

Court for the District of Columbia for such equitable relief as 

may be necessary or appropriate. 

SEC. 117. UNITED STATES RELEASE FROM LIABILITY. 

The United States shall not be liable for any debts, defaults, 

acts, or omissions of the Foundation nor shall the full faith and 

credit of the United States extend to any obligation of the Foundation. 

SEC. 118. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated 

to the Department of Commerce to carry out this title 

$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024. 

(2) USE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS.—Subject to paragraph 

(3), amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be provided to the Foundation to match contributions (whether in 

currency, services, or property) made to the Foundation, or 

to a recipient of a grant provided by the Foundation, by private 

persons and State and local government agencies. 

(3) PROHIBITION ON USE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 

(B), no Federal funds made available under paragraph 

(1) may be used by the Foundation for administrative 

expenses of the Foundation, including for salaries, travel 

and transportation expenses, and other overhead expenses. 

(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may allow the use of 

Federal funds made available under paragraph (1) to pay 

for salaries during the 18-month period beginning on the 

date of the enactment of this Act. 

(b) ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZATION.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the amounts made available under subsection (a), the Foundation may accept Federal 

funds from a Federal agency under any other Federal law 

for use by the Foundation to further the assessment, prevention, 

reduction, and removal of marine debris in accordance with 

the requirements of this title. 

(2) USE OF FUNDS ACCEPTED FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 

Federal funds provided to the Foundation under paragraph 

(1) shall be used by the Foundation for matching, in whole 

or in part, contributions (whether in currency, services, or 

property) made to the Foundation by private persons and State 

and local government agencies. 

(c) PROHIBITION ON USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS FOR LITIGATION

AND LOBBYING EXPENSES.—Amounts provided as a grant by the 

Foundation shall not be used for— 

(1) any expense related to litigation consistent with Federal-wide cost principles; or 

(2) any activity the purpose of which is to influence legislation pending before Congress consistent with Federal-wide cost 

principles. 

SEC. 119. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY. 

The authority of the Foundation under this subtitle shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the establishment of the 

Foundation, unless the Foundation is reauthorized by an Act of 

Congress. 
S. 1982—10 

Subtitle C—Genius Prize for Save Our Seas 

Innovations 

SEC. 121. DEFINITIONS. 

In this subtitle: 

(1) PRIZE COMPETITION.—The term ‘‘prize competition’’ 

means the competition for the award of the Genius Prize for 

Save Our Seas Innovations established under section 122. 

(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 

of Commerce. 

SEC. 122. GENIUS PRIZE FOR SAVE OUR SEAS INNOVATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish 

under section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) a prize competition— 

(A) to encourage technological innovation with the 

potential to reduce plastic waste, and associated and potential pollution, and thereby prevent marine debris; and 

(B) to award 1 or more prizes biennially for projects 

that advance human understanding and innovation in 

removing and preventing plastic waste, in one of the categories described in paragraph (2). 

(2) CATEGORIES FOR PROJECTS.—The categories for projects 

are: 

(A) Advancements in materials used in packaging and 

other products that, if such products enter the coastal 

or ocean environment, will fully degrade without harming 

the environment, wildlife, or human health. 

(B) Innovations in production and packaging design 

that reduce the use of raw materials, increase recycled 

content, encourage reusability and recyclability, and promote a circular economy. 

(C) Improvements in marine debris detection, monitoring, and cleanup technologies and processes. 

(D) Improvements or improved strategies to increase 

solid waste collection, processing, sorting, recycling, or 

reuse. 

(E) New designs or strategies to reduce overall packaging needs and promote reuse. 

(b) DESIGNATION.—The prize competition established under subsection (a) shall be known as the ‘‘Genius Prize for Save Our 

Seas Innovations’’. 

(c) PRIORITIZATION.—In selecting awards for the prize competition, priority shall be given to projects that— 

(1) have a strategy, submitted with the application or proposal, to move the new technology, process, design, material, 

or other product supported by the prize to market-scale deployment; 

(2) support the concept of a circular economy; and 

(3) promote development of materials that— 

(A) can fully degrade in the ocean without harming 

the environment, wildlife, or human health; and 
S. 1982—11 

(B) are to be used in fishing gear or other maritime 

products that have an increased likelihood of entering the 

coastal or ocean environment as unintentional waste. 

SEC. 123. AGREEMENT WITH THE MARINE DEBRIS FOUNDATION. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may offer to enter into an 

agreement, which may include a grant or cooperative agreement, 

under which the Marine Debris Foundation established under title 

I may administer the prize competition. 

(b) REQUIREMENTS.—An agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall comply with the following requirements: 

(1) DUTIES.—The Marine Debris Foundation shall— 

(A) advertise the prize competition; 

(B) solicit prize competition participants; 

(C) administer funds relating to the prize competition; 

(D) receive Federal and non-Federal funds— 

(i) to administer the prize competition; and 

(ii) to award a cash prize; 

(E) carry out activities to generate contributions of 

non-Federal funds to offset, in whole or in part— 

(i) the administrative costs of the prize competition; and 

(ii) the costs of a cash prize; 

(F) in the design and award of the prize, consult, 

as appropriate with experts from— 

(i) Federal agencies with jurisdiction over the 

prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials; 

(ii) State agencies with jurisdiction over the 

prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials; 

(iii) State, regional, or local conservation or postconsumer materials management organizations, the 

mission of which relates to the prevention of marine 

debris or the promotion of innovative materials; 

(iv) conservation groups, technology companies, 

research institutions, scientists (including those with 

expertise in marine environments) institutions of 

higher education, industry, or individual stakeholders 

with an interest in the prevention of marine debris 

or the promotion of innovative materials; 

(v) experts in the area of standards development 

regarding the degradation, breakdown, or recycling of 

polymers; and 

(vi) other relevant experts of the Board’s choosing; 

(G) in consultation with, and subject to final approval 

by, the Secretary, develop criteria for the selection of prize 

competition winners; 

(H) provide advice and consultation to the Secretary 

on the selection of judges under section 124 based on criteria developed in consultation with, and subject to the 

final approval of, the Secretary; 

(I) announce 1 or more annual winners of the prize 

competition; 

(J) subject to paragraph (2), award 1 or more cash 

prizes biennially of not less than $100,000; and 
S. 1982—12 

(K) protect against unauthorized use or disclosure by 

the Marine Debris Foundation of any trade secret or confidential business information of a prize competition participant. 

(2) ADDITIONAL CASH PRIZES.—The Marine Debris Foundation may award more than 1 cash prize in a year— 

(A) if the initial cash prize referred to in paragraph 

(1)(J) and any additional cash prizes are awarded using 

only non-Federal funds; and 

(B) consisting of an amount determined by the Under 

Secretary after the Secretary is notified by the Marine 

Debris Foundation that non-Federal funds are available 

for an additional cash prize. 

(3) SOLICITATION OF FUNDS.—The Marine Debris Foundation— 

(A) may request and accept Federal funds and nonFederal funds for a cash prize or administration of the 

prize competition; 

(B) may accept a contribution for a cash prize in 

exchange for the right to name the prize; and 

(C) shall not give special consideration to any Federal 

agency or non-Federal entity in exchange for a donation 

for a cash prize awarded under this section. 

SEC. 124. JUDGES. 

(a) APPOINTMENT.—The Secretary shall appoint not fewer than 

3 judges who shall, except as provided in subsection (b), select 

the 1 or more annual winners of the prize competition. 

(b) DETERMINATION BY THE SECRETARY.—The judges appointed 

under subsection (a) shall not select any annual winner of the 

prize competition if the Secretary makes a determination that, 

in any fiscal year, none of the technological advancements entered 

into the prize competition merits an award. 

SEC. 125. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 

Not later than 60 days after the date on which a cash prize 

is awarded under this title, the Secretary shall post on a publicly 

available website a report on the prize competition that includes— 

(1) if the Secretary has entered into an agreement under 

section 123, a statement by the Marine Debris Foundation 

that describes the activities carried out by the Marine Debris 

Foundation relating to the duties described in section 123; 

and 

(2) a statement by 1 or more of the judges appointed 

under section 124 that explains the basis on which the winner 

of the cash prize was selected. 

SEC. 126. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

Of the amounts authorized under section 118(a), the Secretary 

of Commerce shall use up to $1,000,000 to carry out this subtitle. 

SEC. 127. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY. 

The prize program will terminate after 5 prize competition 

cycles have been completed. 
S. 1982—13 

Subtitle D—Studies, Pilot Projects, and 

Reports 

SEC. 131. REPORT ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNOVATIVE USES OF 

PLASTIC WASTE. 

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee shall 

submit to Congress a report on innovative uses for plastic waste 

in consumer products. 

SEC. 132. REPORT ON MICROFIBER POLLUTION. 

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of 

this Act, the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee 

shall submit to Congress a report on microfiber pollution that 

includes— 

(1) a definition of microfiber; 

(2) an assessment of the sources, prevalence, and causes 

of microfiber pollution; 

(3) a recommendation for a standardized methodology to 

measure and estimate the prevalence of microfiber pollution; 

(4) recommendations for reducing microfiber pollution; and 

(5) a plan for how Federal agencies, in partnership with 

other stakeholders, can lead on opportunities to reduce 

microfiber pollution during the 5-year period beginning on such 

date of enactment. 

SEC. 133. STUDY ON UNITED STATES PLASTIC POLLUTION DATA. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in consultation with 

the EPA Administrator and the Secretary of the Interior, shall 

seek to enter into an arrangement with the National Academies 

of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which the National 

Academies will undertake a multifaceted study that includes the 

following: 

(1) An evaluation of United States contributions to global 

ocean plastic waste, including types, sources, and geographic 

variations. 

(2) An assessment of the prevalence of marine debris and 

mismanaged plastic waste in saltwater and freshwater United 

States navigable waterways and tributaries. 

(3) An examination of the import and export of plastic 

waste to and from the United States, including the destinations 

of the exported plastic waste and the waste management infrastructure and environmental conditions of these locations. 

(4) Potential means to reduce United States contributions 

to global ocean plastic waste. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress 

a report on the study conducted under subsection (a) that includes— 

(1) the findings of the National Academies; 

(2) recommendations on knowledge gaps that warrant further scientific inquiry; and 

(3) recommendations on the potential value of a national 

marine debris tracking and monitoring system and how such 

a system might be designed and implemented. 
S. 1982—14 

SEC. 134. STUDY ON MASS BALANCE METHODOLOGIES TO CERTIFY 

CIRCULAR POLYMERS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The National Institute of Standards and 

Technology shall conduct a study of available mass balance methodologies that are or could be readily standardized to certify circular 

polymers. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Institute shall submit to Congress a report on 

the study conducted under subsection (a) that includes— 

(1) an identification and assessment of existing mass balance methodologies, standards, and certification systems that 

are or may be applicable to supply chain sustainability of 

polymers, considering the full life cycle of the polymer, and 

including an examination of— 

(A) the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification; and 

(B) the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials; 

(2) an assessment of the environmental impacts of the 

full lifecycle of circular polymers, including impacts on climate 

change; and 

(3) an assessment of any legal or regulatory barriers to 

developing a standard and certification system for circular polymers. 

(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

(1) CIRCULAR POLYMERS.—The term ‘‘circular polymers’’ 

means polymers that can be reused multiple times or converted 

into a new, higher-quality product. 

(2) MASS BALANCE METHODOLOGY.—The term ‘‘mass balance methodology’’ means the method of chain of custody 

accounting designed to track the exact total amount of certain 

content in products or materials through the production system 

and to ensure an appropriate allocation of this content in the 

finished goods based on auditable bookkeeping. 

SEC. 135. REPORT ON SOURCES AND IMPACTS OF DERELICT FISHING 

GEAR. 

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of 

this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 

that includes— 

(1) an analysis of the scale of fishing gear losses by domestic 

and foreign fisheries, including— 

(A) how the amount of gear lost varies among— 

(i) domestic and foreign fisheries; 

(ii) types of fishing gear; and 

(iii) methods of fishing; 

(B) how lost fishing gear is transported by ocean currents; and 

(C) common reasons fishing gear is lost; 

(2) an evaluation of the ecological, human health, and 

maritime safety impacts of derelict fishing gear, and how those 

impacts vary across— 

(A) types of fishing gear; 

(B) materials used to construct fishing gear; and 

(C) geographic location; 

(3) recommendations on management measures— 

(A) to prevent fishing gear losses; and 

(B) to reduce the impacts of lost fishing gear; 
S. 1982—15 

(4) an assessment of the cost of implementing such management measures; and 

(5) an assessment of the impact of fishing gear loss attributable to foreign countries. 

SEC. 136. EXPANSION OF DERELICT VESSEL RECYCLING. 

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 

Act, the Under Secretary and the EPA Administrator shall jointly 

conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing a nationwide derelict vessel recycling program— 

(1) using as a model the fiberglass boat recycling program 

from the pilot project in Rhode Island led by Rhode Island 

Sea Grant and its partners; and 

(2) including, if possible, recycling of vessels made from 

materials other than fiberglass. 

SEC. 137. INCENTIVE FOR FISHERMEN TO COLLECT AND DISPOSE OF 

PLASTIC FOUND AT SEA. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall establish a pilot 

program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing incentives, such as grants, to fishermen based in the United States 

who incidentally capture marine debris while at sea— 

(1) to track or keep the debris on board; and 

(2) to dispose of the debris properly on land. 

(b) SUPPORT FOR COLLECTION AND REMOVAL OF DERELICT

GEAR.—The Under Secretary shall encourage United States efforts, 

such as the Fishing for Energy net disposal program, that support— 

(1) collection and removal of derelict fishing gear and other 

fishing waste; 

(2) disposal or recycling of such gear and waste; and 

(3) prevention of the loss of such gear. 

TITLE II—ENHANCED GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT TO COMBAT MARINE DEBRIS 

SEC. 201. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 

TO COMBAT MARINE DEBRIS. 

It is the policy of the United States to partner, consult, and 

coordinate with foreign governments (at the national and subnational levels), civil society, international organizations, international financial institutions, subnational coastal communities, 

commercial and recreational fishing industry leaders, and the private sector, in a concerted effort— 

(1) to increase knowledge and raise awareness about— 

(A) the linkages between the sources of plastic waste, 

mismanaged waste and post-consumer materials, and 

marine debris; and 

(B) the upstream and downstream causes and effects 

of plastic waste, mismanaged waste and post-consumer 

materials, and marine debris on marine environments, 

marine wildlife, human health, and economic development; 

(2) to support— 

(A) strengthening systems for reducing the generation 

of plastic waste and recovering, managing, reusing, and 
S. 1982—16 

recycling plastic waste, marine debris, and microfiber pollution in the world’s oceans, emphasizing upstream postconsumer materials management solutions— 

(i) to decrease plastic waste at its source; and 

(ii) to prevent leakage of plastic waste into the 

environment; 

(B) advancing the utilization and availability of safe 

and affordable reusable alternatives to disposable plastic 

products in commerce, to the extent practicable, and with 

consideration for the potential impacts of such alternatives, 

and other efforts to prevent marine debris; 

(C) deployment of and access to advanced technologies 

to capture value from post-consumer materials and municipal solid waste streams through mechanical and other 

recycling systems; 

(D) access to information on best practices in postconsumer materials management, options for post-consumer materials management systems financing, and 

options for participating in public-private partnerships; and 

(E) implementation of management measures to reduce 

derelict fishing gear, the loss of fishing gear, and other 

sources of pollution generated from marine activities and 

to increase proper disposal and recycling of fishing gear; 

and 

(3) to work cooperatively with international partners— 

(A) on establishing— 

(i) measurable targets for reducing marine debris, 

lost fishing gear, and plastic waste from all sources; 

and 

(ii) action plans to achieve those targets with a 

mechanism to provide regular reporting; 

(B) to promote consumer education, awareness, and 

outreach to prevent marine debris; 

(C) to reduce marine debris by improving advance planning for marine debris events and responses to such events; 

and 

(D) to share best practices in post-consumer materials 

management systems to prevent the entry of plastic waste 

into the environment. 

SEC. 202. PRIORITIZATION OF EFFORTS AND ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT 

MARINE DEBRIS AND IMPROVE PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall, in coordination 

with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, as appropriate, and the officials specified 

in subsection (b)— 

(1) lead and coordinate efforts to implement the policy 

described in section 201; and 

(2) develop strategies and implement programs that 

prioritize engagement and cooperation with foreign governments, subnational and local stakeholders, and the private 

sector to expedite efforts and assistance in foreign countries— 

(A) to partner with, encourage, advise and facilitate 

national and subnational governments on the development 

and execution, where practicable, of national projects, programs and initiatives to— 
S. 1982—17 

(i) improve the capacity, security, and standards 

of operations of post-consumer materials management 

systems; 

(ii) monitor and track how well post-consumer 

materials management systems are functioning nationwide, based on uniform and transparent standards 

developed in cooperation with municipal, industrial, 

and civil society stakeholders; 

(iii) identify the operational challenges of postconsumer materials management systems and develop 

policy and programmatic solutions; 

(iv) end intentional or unintentional incentives for 

municipalities, industries, and individuals to improperly dispose of plastic waste; and 

(v) conduct outreach campaigns to raise public 

awareness of the importance of proper waste disposal 

and the reduction of plastic waste; 

(B) to facilitate the involvement of municipalities and 

industries in improving solid waste reduction, collection, 

disposal, and reuse and recycling projects, programs, and 

initiatives; 

(C) to partner with and provide technical assistance 

to investors, and national and local institutions, including 

private sector actors, to develop new business opportunities 

and solutions to specifically reduce plastic waste and 

expand solid waste and post-consumer materials management best practices in foreign countries by— 

(i) maximizing the number of people and 

businesses, in both rural and urban communities, 

receiving reliable solid waste and post-consumer materials management services; 

(ii) improving and expanding the capacity of foreign industries to responsibly employ post-consumer 

materials management practices; 

(iii) improving and expanding the capacity and 

transparency of tracking mechanisms for marine debris 

to reduce the impacts on the marine environment; 

(iv) eliminating incentives that undermine responsible post-consumer materials management practices 

and lead to improper waste disposal practices and leakage; 

(v) building the capacity of countries— 

(I) to reduce, monitor, regulate, and manage 

waste, post-consumer materials and plastic waste, 

and pollution appropriately and transparently, 

including imports of plastic waste from the United 

States and other countries; 

(II) to encourage private investment in postconsumer materials management and reduction; 

and 

(III) to encourage private investment, grow 

opportunities, and develop markets for recyclable, 

reusable, and repurposed plastic waste and postconsumer materials, and products with high levels 

of recycled plastic content, at both national and 

local levels; and 
S. 1982—18 

(vi) promoting safe and affordable reusable alternatives to disposable plastic products, to the extent 

practicable; and 

(D) to research, identify, and facilitate opportunities 

to promote collection and proper disposal of damaged or 

derelict fishing gear. 

(b) OFFICIALS SPECIFIED.—The officials specified in this subsection are the following: 

(1) The United States Trade Representative. 

(2) The Under Secretary. 

(3) The EPA Administrator. 

(4) The Director of the Trade and Development Agency. 

(5) The President and the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation or the Chief Executive 

Officer and the Board of Directors of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, as appropriate. 

(6) The Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors 

of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. 

(7) The Commandant of the Coast Guard, with respect 

to pollution from ships. 

(8) The heads of such other agencies as the Secretary 

of State considers appropriate. 

(c) PRIORITIZATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), the officials 

specified in subsection (b) shall prioritize assistance to countries 

with, and regional organizations in regions with— 

(1) rapidly developing economies; and 

(2) rivers and coastal areas that are the most severe sources 

of marine debris, as identified by the best available science. 

(d) EFFECTIVENESS MEASUREMENT.—In prioritizing and expediting efforts and assistance under this section, the officials specified 

in subsection (b) shall use clear, accountable, and metric-based 

targets to measure the effectiveness of guarantees and assistance 

in achieving the policy described in section 201. 

(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section may be 

construed to authorize the modification of or the imposition of 

limits on the portfolios of any agency or institution led by an 

official specified in subsection (b). 

SEC. 203. UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL FORA. 

In implementing the policy described in section 201, the President shall direct the United States representatives to appropriate 

international bodies and conferences (including the United Nations 

Environment Programme, the Association of Southeast Asian 

Nations, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Group of 7, 

the Group of 20, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and 

Development (OECD), and the Our Ocean Conference) to use the 

voice, vote, and influence of the United States, consistent with 

the broad foreign policy goals of the United States, to advocate 

that each such body— 

(1) commit to significantly increasing efforts to promote 

investment in well-designed post-consumer materials management and plastic waste elimination and mitigation projects 

and services that increase access to safe post-consumer materials management and mitigation services, in partnership with 

the private sector and consistent with the constraints of other 

countries; 
S. 1982—19 

(2) address the post-consumer materials management needs 

of individuals and communities where access to municipal postconsumer materials management services is historically impractical or cost-prohibitive; 

(3) enhance coordination with the private sector— 

(A) to increase access to solid waste and post-consumer 

materials management services; 

(B) to utilize safe and affordable alternatives to disposable plastic products, to the extent practicable; 

(C) to encourage and incentivize the use of recycled 

content; and 

(D) to grow economic opportunities and develop markets for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and repurposed 

plastic waste materials and post-consumer materials and 

other efforts that support the circular economy; 

(4) provide technical assistance to foreign regulatory 

authorities and governments to remove unnecessary barriers 

to investment in otherwise commercially-viable projects related 

to— 

(A) post-consumer materials management; 

(B) the use of safe and affordable alternatives to disposable plastic products; or 

(C) beneficial reuse of solid waste, plastic waste, postconsumer materials, plastic products, and refuse; 

(5) use clear, accountable, and metric-based targets to 

measure the effectiveness of such projects; and 

(6) engage international partners in an existing multilateral forum (or, if necessary, establish through an international 

agreement a new multilateral forum) to improve global cooperation on— 

(A) creating tangible metrics for evaluating efforts to 

reduce plastic waste and marine debris; 

(B) developing and implementing best practices at the 

national and subnational levels of foreign countries, 

particularly countries with little to no solid waste or postconsumer materials management systems, facilities, or policies in place for— 

(i) collecting, disposing, recycling, and reusing 

plastic waste and post-consumer materials, including 

building capacity for improving post-consumer materials management; and 

(ii) integrating alternatives to disposable plastic 

products, to the extent practicable; 

(C) encouraging the development of standards and 

practices, and increasing recycled content percentage 

requirements for disposable plastic products; 

(D) integrating tracking and monitoring systems into 

post-consumer materials management systems; 

(E) fostering research to improve scientific understanding of— 

(i) how microfibers and microplastics may affect 

marine ecosystems, human health and safety, and 

maritime activities; 

(ii) changes in the amount and regional concentrations of plastic waste in the ocean, based on scientific 

modeling and forecasting; 
S. 1982—20 

(iii) the role rivers, streams, and other inland 

waterways play in serving as conduits for mismanaged 

waste traveling from land to the ocean; 

(iv) effective means to eliminate present and future 

leakages of plastic waste into the environment; and 

(v) other related areas of research the United 

States representatives deem necessary; 

(F) encouraging the World Bank and other international finance organizations to prioritize efforts to reduce 

plastic waste and combat marine debris; 

(G) collaborating on technological advances in postconsumer materials management and recycled plastics; 

(H) growing economic opportunities and developing 

markets for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and 

repurposed plastic waste and post-consumer materials and 

other efforts that support the circular economy; and 

(I) advising foreign countries, at both the national and 

subnational levels, on the development and execution of 

regulatory policies, services, including recycling and reuse 

of plastic, and laws pertaining to reducing the creation 

and the collection and safe management of— 

(i) solid waste; 

(ii) post-consumer materials; 

(iii) plastic waste; and 

(iv) marine debris. 

SEC. 204. ENHANCING INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIP 

OF UNITED STATES AGENCIES INVOLVED IN MARINE 

DEBRIS ACTIVITIES. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress recognizes the success of the marine 

debris program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Trash-Free Waters program of the Environmental 

Protection Agency. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF EFFORTS TO BUILD FOREIGN PARTNERSHIPS.—The Under Secretary and the EPA Administrator shall 

work with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the 

United States Agency for International Development to build partnerships, as appropriate, with the governments of foreign countries 

and to support international efforts to combat marine debris. 

SEC. 205. NEGOTIATION OF NEW INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. 

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 

Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress a report— 

(1) assessing the potential for negotiating new international 

agreements or creating a new international forum to reduce 

land-based sources of marine debris and derelict fishing gear, 

consistent with section 203; 

(2) describing the provisions that could be included in such 

agreements; and 

(3) assessing potential parties to such agreements. 

SEC. 206. CONSIDERATION OF MARINE DEBRIS IN NEGOTIATING 

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. 

In negotiating any relevant international agreement with any 

country or countries after the date of the enactment of this Act, 

the President shall, as appropriate— 
S. 1982—21 

(1) consider the impact of land-based sources of plastic 

waste and other solid waste from that country on the marine 

and aquatic environment; and 

(2) ensure that the agreement strengthens efforts to eliminate land-based sources of plastic waste and other solid waste 

from that country that impact the marine and aquatic environment. 

TITLE III—IMPROVING DOMESTIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO PREVENT MARINE DEBRIS 

SEC. 301. STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING POST-CONSUMER MATERIALS 

MANAGEMENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the EPA Administrator shall, in consultation 

with stakeholders, develop a strategy to improve post-consumer 

materials management and infrastructure for the purpose of 

reducing plastic waste and other post-consumer materials in waterways and oceans. 

(b) RELEASE.—On development of the strategy under subsection 

(a), the EPA Administrator shall— 

(1) distribute the strategy to States; and 

(2) make the strategy publicly available, including for use 

by— 

(A) for-profit private entities involved in post-consumer 

materials management; and 

(B) other nongovernmental entities. 

SEC. 302. GRANT PROGRAMS. 

(a) POST-CONSUMER MATERIALS MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE

GRANT PROGRAM.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The EPA Administrator may provide 

grants to States to implement the strategy developed under 

section 301(a) and— 

(A) to support improvements to local post-consumer 

materials management, including municipal recycling programs; and 

(B) to assist local waste management authorities in 

making improvements to local waste management systems. 

(2) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a grant under 

paragraph (1), the applicant State shall submit to the EPA 

Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, 

and containing such information as the EPA Administrator 

may require. 

(3) CONTENTS OF APPLICATIONS.—In developing application 

requirements, the EPA Administrator shall consider requesting 

that a State applicant provide— 

(A) a description of— 

(i) the project or projects to be carried out using 

grant funds; and 

(ii) how the project or projects would result in 

the generation of less plastic waste; 

(B) a description of how the funds will support disadvantaged communities; and 
S. 1982—22 

(C) an explanation of any limitations, such as flow 

control measures, that restrict access to reusable or 

recyclable materials. 

(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than January 1, 2023, 

the EPA Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 

Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee 

on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 

a report that includes— 

(A) a description of the activities carried out under 

this subsection; 

(B) estimates as to how much plastic waste was prevented from entering the oceans and other waterways as 

a result of activities funded pursuant to this subsection; 

and 

(C) a recommendation on the utility of evolving the 

grant program into a new waste management State 

revolving fund. 

(b) DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The EPA Administrator may provide 

competitive grants to units of local government, Indian Tribes, 

and public water systems (as defined in section 1401 of the 

Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f)) to support improvements in reducing and removing plastic waste and post-consumer materials, including microplastics and microfibers, from 

drinking water or sources of drinking water, including planning, 

design, construction, technical assistance, and planning support 

for operational adjustments. 

(2) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a grant under 

paragraph (1), an applicant shall submit to the EPA Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the EPA Administrator may 

require. 

(c) WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The EPA Administrator may provide 

grants to municipalities (as defined in section 502 of the Federal 

Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)) or Indian Tribes 

that own and operate treatment works (as such term is defined 

in section 212 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 1292)) for the construction 

of improvements to reduce and remove plastic waste and postconsumer materials, including microplastics and microfibers, 

from wastewater. 

(2) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a grant under 

paragraph (1), an applicant shall submit to the EPA Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the EPA Administrator may 

require. 

(d) TRASH-FREE WATERS GRANTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The EPA Administrator may provide 

grants to units of local government, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations— 

(A) to support projects to reduce the quantity of solid 

waste in bodies of water by reducing the quantity of waste 

at the source, including through anti-litter initiatives; 

(B) to enforce local post-consumer materials management ordinances; 
S. 1982—23 

(C) to implement State or local policies relating to 

solid waste; 

(D) to capture post-consumer materials at stormwater 

inlets, at stormwater outfalls, or in bodies of water; 

(E) to provide education and outreach about post-consumer materials movement and reduction; and 

(F) to monitor or model flows of post-consumer materials, including monitoring or modeling a reduction in trash 

as a result of the implementation of best management 

practices for the reduction of plastic waste and other postconsumer materials in sources of drinking water. 

(2) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a grant under 

paragraph (1), an applicant shall submit to the EPA Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the EPA Administrator may 

require. 

(e) APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL LAW.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The EPA Administrator shall ensure that 

all laborers and mechanics employed on projects funded 

directly, or assisted in whole or in part, by a grant established 

by this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than 

those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the locality 

as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with 

subchapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 

40, United States Code. 

(2) AUTHORITY.—With respect to the labor standards specified in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall have the 

authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 

3145 of title 40, United States Code. 

(3) REQUIREMENTS.—The requirements of section 608 of 

the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1388) shall 

apply to the construction of a project carried out, in whole 

or in part, with assistance made available under this section 

in the same manner as the requirements of such section apply 

with respect to funds made available pursuant to title VI of 

such Act. 

(f) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.—A grant under this section 

may not be used (directly or indirectly) as a source of payment 

(in whole or in part) of, or security for, an obligation the interest 

on which is excluded from gross income under section 103 of the 

Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 

(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated— 

(1) for the program described subsection (a), $55,000,000 

for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025; and 

(2) for each of the programs described subsections (b), 

(c), and (d), $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 

2025. 

SEC. 303. STUDY ON REPURPOSING PLASTIC WASTE IN INFRASTRUCTURE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation (referred 

to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) and the EPA Administrator 

shall jointly enter into an arrangement with the National Academies 

of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which the National 

Academies will— 
S. 1982—24 

(1) conduct a study on the uses of plastic waste in infrastructure; and 

(2) as part of the study under paragraph (1)— 

(A) identify domestic and international examples of— 

(i) the use of plastic waste materials described 

in that paragraph; 

(ii) infrastructure projects in which the use of 

plastic waste has been applied; and 

(iii) projects in which the use of plastic waste 

has been incorporated into or with other infrastructure 

materials; 

(B) assess— 

(i) the effectiveness and utility of the uses of plastic 

waste described in that paragraph; 

(ii) the extent to which plastic waste materials 

are consistent with recognized specifications for infrastructure construction and other recognized standards; 

(iii) relevant impacts of plastic waste materials 

compared to non-waste plastic materials; 

(iv) the health, safety, and environmental impacts 

of— 

(I) plastic waste on humans and animals; and 

(II) the increased use of plastic waste for infrastructure; 

(v) the ability of plastic waste infrastructure to 

withstand natural disasters, extreme weather events, 

and other hazards; and 

(vi) plastic waste in infrastructure through an economic analysis; and 

(C) make recommendations with respect to what standards or matters may need to be addressed with respect 

to ensuring human and animal health and safety from 

the use of plastic waste in infrastructure. 

(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 2 years after the date 

of enactment of this Act and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary and the EPA Administrator shall submit to 

Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a). 

SEC. 304. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF MICROPLASTICS IN FOOD SUPPLIES 

AND SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The EPA Administrator, in consultation with 

the Under Secretary, shall seek to enter into an arrangement with 

the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 

under which the National Academies will conduct a human health 

and environmental risk assessment on microplastics, including 

microfibers, in food supplies and sources of drinking water. 

(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 2 years after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the EPA Administrator shall submit 

to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection 

(a) that includes— 

(1) a science-based definition of ‘‘microplastics’’ that can 

be adopted in federally supported monitoring and future assessments supported or conducted by a Federal agency; 

(2) recommendations for standardized monitoring, testing, 

and other necessary protocols relating to microplastics; 

(3) an assessment of— 
S. 1982—25 

(A) the extent to which microplastics are present in 

the food supplies and sources of drinking water; and 

(B) the type, source, prevalence, and risk of microplastics in the food supplies and sources of drinking water, 

including— 

(i) an identification of the most significant sources 

of those microplastics; and 

(ii) a review of the best available science to determine any potential hazards of microplastics in the 

food supplies and sources of drinking water; and 

(4) a measurement of— 

(A) the quantity of environmental chemicals that 

adsorb to microplastics; and 

(B) the quantity described in subparagraph (A) that 

would be available for human exposure through food supplies or sources of drinking water. 

SEC. 305. REPORT ON ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO INCREASE THE 

COLLECTION OF RECYCLABLE MATERIALS. 

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the EPA Administrator shall submit to Congress a report 

describing— 

(1) the economic, educational, technological, resource availability, legal, or other barriers to increasing the collection, 

processing, and use of recyclable materials; and 

(2) recommendations to overcome the barriers described 

under paragraph (1). 

SEC. 306. REPORT ON ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO SPUR DEVELOPMENT 

OF NEW END-USE MARKETS FOR RECYCLED PLASTICS. 

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the EPA Administrator shall submit to Congress a report 

describing the most efficient and effective economic incentives to 

spur the development of additional new end-use markets for 

recycled plastics, including plastic film, including the use of 

increased recycled content by manufacturers in the production of 

plastic goods and packaging. 

SEC. 307. REPORT ON MINIMIZING THE CREATION OF NEW PLASTIC 

WASTE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The EPA Administrator, in coordination with 

the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee and the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall conduct a 

study on minimizing the creation of new plastic waste. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the EPA Administrator shall submit to Congress a 

report on the study conducted under subsection (a) that includes— 

(1) an estimate of the current and projected United States 

production and consumption of plastics, by type of plastic, 

including consumer food products; 

(2) an estimate of the environmental effects and impacts 

of plastic production and use in relation to other materials; 

(3) an estimate of current and projected future recycling 

rates of plastics, by type of plastic; 

(4) an assessment of opportunities to minimize the creation 

of new plastic waste, including consumer food products, by 

reducing, recycling, reusing, refilling, refurbishing, or capturing 

plastic that would otherwise be part of a waste stream; and 
S. 1982—26 

(5) an assessment of what post-consumer recycled content 

standards for plastic are technologically and economically feasible, and the impact of the standards on recycling rates. 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.