268 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall de-
velop a list of acceptable methods for measuring, mon-
itoring, and reporting metrics listed in subsection (b). 
(2) CONSISTENCY.—The Administrator, to the 
maximum extent practicable, shall ensure consistency 
of such methods with similar reporting schemes devel-
oped by the European Union and the International 
Maritime Organization to reduce any duplicative 
burden on shippers. 
(3) METHODS.—Acceptable methods included in 
the list could include the following: 
(A) Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) and peri-
odic stocktakes of fuel tanks. 
(B) Bunker fuel tank monitoring on board. 
(C) Flowmeters for applicable combustion 
processes. 
(D) Direct CO2 emissions measurements. 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT BY THE ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency and Commandant of 
the Coast Guard, shall publish an annual report on emis-
sions from vessels covered under this section, including the 
underlying data, accompanied by an explanation intended 
to facilitate public understanding of the vessel shipping sec-
tor’s CO2 emissions and energy efficiency. 
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(e) REGULATIONS.—Before promulgation of regula-
tions under this section, reports issued under this section 
shall be reviewed to ensure that regulatory changes will not 
create the risk of increased CO2 emissions. 
SEC. 1202. QUIET SEAS AND CLEAR SKIES VESSEL SPEED 
REDUCTION AWARD PROGRAM. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
(1) 49 marine mammal species are considered 
depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, and of those species, 42 are listed as threatened 
or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973. 
(2) Climate change is altering marine mammal 
migration routes and timing. 
(3) Hundreds of threatened and endangered ma-
rine mammals, including North Atlantic right whales 
and blue whales, die from vessel strikes each year. 
(4) Background ambient noise levels have in-
creased significantly since the 1950s and can be at-
tributed to vessel noise, impeding foraging, breeding, 
communication, and other behaviors of marine ani-
mals, including of threatened species and endangered 
species. 
(5) Slower ship speeds reduce the lethality of ves-
sel strikes on marine life, moderate underwater noise, 
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and provide climate benefits through reduced fuel con-
sumption and lower particulate emissions. 
(6) In 2019, the Vessel Speed Reduction Program 
in the Santa Barbara Channel region and the San 
Francisco Bay region saved over 17,000 metric tons 
of greenhouse gas emissions, with 349 vessels from 15 
different companies slowing their speeds for over 
99,000 nautical miles. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 12 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, 
in consultation with the Administrator of the EPA and 
Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, shall estab-
lish the Quiet Seas and Clear Skies Program (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘‘Program’’) to— 
(1) reduce air pollution, harmful underwater 
vessel noise, and the risk of fatal marine mammal 
ship strikes by encouraging voluntary reduction in 
the speed of eligible vessels operating within the Ex-
clusive Economic Zone of the United States; and 
(2) annually award Quiet Seas and Clear Skies 
Excellence Awards under subsection (d) for verified 
successful participation in, and cooperation with, the 
Program by shipping companies. 
(c) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator 
shall develop and publish in the Federal Register require-
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ments for voluntary participation in the Program by eligi-
ble shipping companies, including the following: 
(1) PROGRAM AREA.—Geographic areas covered 
by the Program shall include all waters of the United 
States Exclusive Economic Zone. 
(2) FLEET REQUIREMENT.—At least 75 percent 
of eligible vessels operated by a shipping company 
shall participate and be in compliance with para-
graph (3) in order to be eligible for an Award under 
subsection (d). 
(3) SPEED
LIMITS.—The Administrator shall, 
based upon the best available scientific information 
and consultation with the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard, and input from shipping companies and ex-
perts in air quality and marine mammal conserva-
tion, prescribe maximum speeds for eligible vessels 
participating in the Program, except when directed 
by the Coast Guard to proceed in excess of the speed 
requirements of the Program for safety purposes, that 
would— 
(A) obtain a significant reduction in green-
house gas and particulate pollution, including 
black carbon emissions from eligible vessels; 
(B) protect marine life; and 
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(C) reduce noise generated by eligible ves-
sels. 
(4) CERTIFICATION.—The Administrator shall 
establish protocols for shipping companies to certify 
compliance with the Program requirement to be eligi-
ble for an Award under subsection (d). 
(d) ANNUAL AWARDS.—Under the Program, the Direc-
tor of National Marine Sanctuaries shall annually award 
Quiet Seas and Clear Skies Excellence Awards to shipping 
companies operating fleets that have participated in, and 
complied with the requirements of, the Program during the 
preceding year. 
(e) OFFICIAL SEAL.—The Administrator shall create 
an official seal to be recognized as the symbol of excellence 
in compliance with the Program, that— 
(1) may be used by shipping companies with eli-
gible vessels for which a Quiet Seas and Clear Skies 
Excellence Award is awarded under this section; 
(2) includes the name of the shipping company; 
and 
(3) includes the year for which such Award was 
made. 
(f) LIMITATIONS.—Nothing in this section shall be con-
strued to— 
(1) require participation in the Program; or 
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(2) authorize any action that affects naviga-
tional rights and freedoms under international law or 
navigational safety. 
(g) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE VESSEL.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘eligible vessel’’ means a vessel greater than 
or equal to 65 feet in overall length. 
(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry 
out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 
through 2026. 
TITLE XIII—VIRGIN PLASTIC 
EXCISE TAX 
SEC. 1301. VIRGIN PLASTIC EXCISE TAX. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 32 of subtitle D of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding after 
subchapter D the following new chapter: 
‘‘Subchapter E—Virgin Plastic Excise Tax 
‘‘SEC. 4191. IMPOSITION OF TAX. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is hereby imposed a virgin 
plastic excise tax on the manufacturer, producer, or im-
porter of a covered item. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT OF TAX.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The virgin plastic excise tax 
imposed by subsection (a) is $0.05 per pound of vir-
gin plastic. 
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‘‘(2) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any tax-
able year beginning after 2021, the dollar 
amounts in paragraph (1) shall be increased by 
an amount equal to— 
‘‘(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by 
‘‘(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment de-
termined under section 1(f)(3) for the cal-
endar year in which the taxable year be-
gins, determined by substituting in sub-
paragraph (A)(ii) ‘calendar year 2021’ for 
‘calendar year 2016’. 
‘‘(B) ROUNDING.—If any increase deter-
mined under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple 
of 1⁄10 of a cent, such increase shall be round-
ed to the nearest multiple of 1⁄10 of a cent. 
‘‘(c) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall issue such 
regulations or other guidance, including regulations or 
guidance for the determination of the amount of virgin 
plastic in a covered item, as may be necessary or appro-
priate to carry out the purposes of this section. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED ITEM.—The term ‘covered item’ 
means a single-use plastic product made in part or 
whole of virgin plastic, except— 
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‘‘(A) a medical product that the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services determines needs 
to be made of virgin plastic for public health or 
the health of the user; 
‘‘(B) a container for— 
‘‘(i) a drug regulated under the Fed-
eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; 
‘‘(ii) infant formula; or 
‘‘(iii) a meal replacement liquid; 
‘‘(C) a personal or feminine hygiene prod-
uct that could be unsafe or unsanitary to recycle; 
‘‘(D) a sexual health product; and 
‘‘(E) packaging for— 
‘‘(i) a product described in subpara-
graphs (A) through (E); or 
‘‘(ii) used for the shipment of haz-
ardous materials that is prohibited from 
being composed of used materials under sec-
tion 178.509 or 178.522 of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date 
of the enactment of this subtitle). 
‘‘(2) PACKAGING.—The term ‘packaging’ means 
a package, container, packing materials, or other ma-
terial used for the containment, protection, handling, 
delivery, and presentation of goods. 
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‘‘(3) VIRGIN PLASTIC.—The term ‘virgin plastic’ 
means a primary polymer or resin— 
‘‘(A) of any form of ethylene, propylene, 
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, 
or a raw plastic polymer; and 
‘‘(B) generated through processing byprod-
ucts associated with petroleum, natural gas, coal, 
or vegetation-based resources. 
‘‘(4) SINGLE-USE PRODUCT.—The term ‘single- 
use product’ means a consumer product that is rou-
tinely disposed of, recycled, or otherwise discarded 
after a single use.’’. 
(b) INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS.—Congress finds 
the international mitigation of virgin, single-use plastics 
to be of national importance. Therefore, Congress encour-
ages the United States Trade Representative and the Sec-
retary of State, as appropriate, to engage in negotiations 
with other nations with the goal of forming treaties, envi-
ronmental agreements, accords, partnerships, or any other 
instrument that— 
(1) effectively reduces global single-use plastic 
production from virgin polymers to 10 percent of 
2010 levels by 2050; and 
(2) respects the principle of common but differen-
tiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. 
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(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments by this sec-
tion shall apply to covered items, as such term is defined 
in section 4191 of such Code, manufactured, produced, or 
imported after the earlier of— 
(1) 1 year after the Secretary issues regulations 
implementing section 4191 of such Code; or 
(2) 2 years after date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sub-
chapters for chapter 32 of such Code is amended by insert-
ing after the item relating to subchapter D the following: 
‘‘E. Virgin plastic excise tax’’. 
SEC. 1302. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VIRGIN PLASTIC TRUST 
FUND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter A of chapter 98 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 9512. VIRGIN PLASTIC TRUST FUND. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNDING.—There is hereby 
established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund 
to be known as the ‘Virgin Plastic Trust Fund’, consisting 
of such amounts as may be appropriated to such trust fund. 
‘‘(b) TRANSFER TO VIRGIN PLASTIC TRUST FUND OF 
AMOUNTS EQUIVALENT TO CERTAIN TAXES.—There are 
hereby appropriated to the Virgin Plastic Trust Fund 
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amounts equivalent to the taxes received in the Treasury 
under section 4191 (relating to virgin plastic excise tax). 
‘‘(c) EXPENDITURES FROM VIRGIN PLASTIC TRUST 
FUND.—The following amounts in the Virgin Plastic Trust 
Fund are authorized to be appropriated each fiscal begin-
ning after the date of the enactment of the Ocean-Based Cli-
mate Solutions Act of 2022. 
‘‘(1) To United States Customs and Border Pro-
tection, such amounts as may be necessary to admin-
ister the taxation of importers under section 4191(a). 
‘‘(2) So much as remains in the fund in each fis-
cal year, after appropriations are made under para-
graph (1), for the purposes of carrying out the Ocean- 
Based Climate Solutions Act of 2022.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for subchapter A of chapter 98 of such Code is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘Sec. 9512. Virgin Plastic Trust Fund.’’. 
TITLE XIV—STUDIES AND 
REPORTS 
SEC. 1401. DEEP SEA MINING. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academies to conduct a com-
prehensive assessment of the environmental impacts of deep 
seabed mining, including— 
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(1) characterization of deep seabed ecosystems; 
(2) assessment of potential impacts to deep sea-
bed habitat and species from exploratory or extractive 
activities; 
(3) assessment of the potential impacts of sedi-
ment plumes from disturbance of the deep seabed on 
the pelagic food chain; and 
(4) approximate quantification of the greenhouse 
gas emissions associated with deep seabed mining, in-
cluding emissions possibly from the release of green-
house gases sequestered in the seabed. 
SEC. 1402. NATIONAL ACADEMIES ASSESSMENT OF OCE-
ANIC BLUE CARBON. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academies to conduct a com-
prehensive assessment of oceanic blue carbon, including— 
(1) the impacts of marine species decline on car-
bon sequestration potential in ocean ecosystems, an 
estimate of the global carbon dioxide mitigation po-
tential of protecting or recovering populations of fish 
and marine mammals, and the ecological consider-
ations of such conservation strategies; 
(2) an analysis of the geologic stores of carbon 
and deep sea storage of dissolved carbon in the deep 
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seafloor environment, including current and potential 
natural long-term carbon storage, identification of 
gaps in scientific understanding, observations, and 
data regarding such geologic and deep sea carbon 
storage; and 
(3) the potential impacts to oceanic blue carbon 
storage by human activities including energy develop-
ment activities, deep sea mining, deep sea carbon 
capture technology, and other disturbances to the sea 
floor and gas hydrate disruption atop the seabed. 
SEC. 1403. REPORT ON THE ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC 
EFFECTS OF HIGH SEAS FISHING IN THE 
OCEAN AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDIC-
TION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in co-
ordination with the Secretary of State, shall seek to enter 
into an agreement with the National Academies under 
which the National Academies shall— 
(1) study the challenges and opportunities associ-
ated with implementing a global moratorium on high 
seas commercial fishing; 
(2) evaluate the ecological, social, and economic 
effects of a global moratorium on high seas commer-
cial fishing, including establishment of ecological 
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baselines required to also estimate changes in bio-
diversity; 
(3) estimate the scope and volume of illegal, un-
regulated, and unreported fishing occurring on the 
high seas fishing; 
(4) evaluate the percentage of United States sea-
food imports originating from high-seas fishing, from 
both legally reported and illegal, unregulated, and un-
reported fishing; and 
(5) evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions associ-
ated with high-seas fishing and high-seas fishing 
fleets. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study and evaluation conducted 
pursuant to the agreement entered into under subsection (a) 
shall address— 
(1) the feasibility of implementing a global mor-
atorium on high seas commercial fishing, including— 
(A) legal authorities that exist under the 
United Nations Convention on the Law of the 
Sea and other implementation instruments to 
implement a moratorium on high seas commer-
cial fishing; 
(B) the nations and vessels likely to refuse 
or otherwise fail to comply with such a morato-
rium, including estimates of catch levels by those 
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nations and vessels relative to overall inter-
national catch; and 
(C) available enforcement mechanisms and 
surveillance technology that could be used to en-
force such a moratorium; and 
(2) the range of effects that would be expected to 
result from a moratorium on high seas commercial 
fishing, including— 
(A) identification of fish stocks that would 
be affected, changes in exploitation of those 
stocks, and net effect on the biomass of those 
stocks; 
(B) ecosystem effects on nontarget species, 
including marketable and nonmarketable by-
catch, forage species, corals, other invertebrates, 
marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles; 
(C) changes in global carbon emissions from 
reduced fishing vessel transits and from in-
creased fish carbon capture and improved high 
seas ecosystem functioning; 
(D) amounts of subsidies that support high 
seas commercial fishing by the top 12 nations 
that currently conduct high seas fishing by vol-
ume; 
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(E) effects on global fisheries revenues and 
profits overall and the effects on fisheries reve-
nues, profits, and jobs for developing nations; 
(F) effects on sustainable seafood avail-
ability for United States consumers; 
(G) effects on revenues and profits for do-
mestic fishermen seafood businesses; 
(H) effects on the scope and volume of ille-
gal, unregulated, and unreported fishing occur-
ring on the high seas; and 
(I) potential spillover effects on other fish-
eries from imposing a moratorium. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The agreement entered into 
under subsection (a) shall require the National Acad-
emies to submit to the Secretary of Commerce, not 
later than two years after entering into the agree-
ment, a report that describes the results of the study 
and evaluation conducted pursuant to the agreement. 
(2) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—The Administrator 
shall publish the report received under paragraph (1) 
on a public website. 
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SEC. 1404. NATIONAL ACADEMIES ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC 
ACCESS TO THE COASTS. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academies to conduct a com-
prehensive assessment on public access to the Nation’s 
coasts, including the Great Lakes’ coasts. The assessment 
shall include— 
(1) an analysis of the existing quantity and 
quality of public access points to the coasts by State, 
including both recreational and commercial (‘‘work-
ing waterfront’’) access; 
(2) opportunities and barriers faced by low in-
come communities, communities of color, Tribal com-
munities, Indigenous communities, and rural commu-
nities for access to the coasts; 
(3) the likely impact of sea level rise and extreme 
weather on public access points to and access along 
the coasts; and 
(4) Federal mechanisms for preventing the loss of 
access, for mitigating such loss when it occurs, and 
for increasing the quantity, quality, and afford abil-
ity of public access to the coasts for both recreational 
and commercial activities. 
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SEC. 1405. STUDY EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF ACIDIFICA-
TION 
AND 
OTHER 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
STRESSORS ON ESTUARIES ENVIRONMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
make appropriate arrangements with the National Acad-
emies under which the National Academies shall conduct 
a study that— 
(1) examines the existing science of acidification 
in coastal environments, including in the Great 
Lakes; 
(2) examines the challenges to studying acidifica-
tion and the combined effect of acidification and other 
environment stressors in coastal environments; 
(3) provides recommendations for improving fu-
ture research with respect to acidification in coastal 
environments; and 
(4) identifies pathways for applying science in 
management and mitigation decisions relating to 
acidification in estuaries environments. 
(b) CONTENTS OF STUDY.—The study conducted under 
subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) the behavior of the carbonate system within 
estuaries environments; 
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(2) the interactions of the carbonate system with 
other biotic and abiotic characteristics of coastal eco-
systems; 
(3) 
how 
environmental 
and 
anthropogenic 
changes or disturbances, such as nutrient runoff and 
water pollution, could affect biotic and abiotic proc-
esses within coastal ecosystems; 
(4) how coastal biotic and abiotic processes will 
be affected under predicted environmental changes; 
(5) the current state of data collection, interpre-
tation, storage, and retrieval and observational infra-
structure of biotic and abiotic parameters in coastal 
ecosystems; 
(6) the gaps that exist in understanding the so-
cioeconomic and health impacts of acidification in 
coastal ecosystems; 
(7) future directions for scientific research; and 
(8) pathways for applying science in manage-
ment and mitigation decisions. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than two years after entering 
into any arrangement under subsection (a), the Adminis-
trator shall request that the National Academies submit to 
Congress a report detailing the findings of the study. 
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SEC. 1406. STUDY EXAMINING THE CAUSES AND IMPACTS 
OF BLACK CARBON. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator and 
the Secretary of Interior shall make appropriate arrange-
ments with the National Academies under which the Na-
tional Academies shall conduct a study that— 
(1) quantifies the sources of black carbon emis-
sions, including wildfires and natural processes; 
(2) examines the impacts of black carbon on the 
health, finances, society, and culture of Indigenous 
communities; 
(3) examines the impacts of black carbon on ma-
rine and terrestrial Arctic wildlife; and 
(4) examines the role of black carbon in climate 
change. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 to carry out this section. 
SEC. 1407. MARINE AREAS INVENTORY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in consultation 
with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, shall— 
(1) update the National Marine Protection Areas 
Centers Marine Protected Area Inventory to include— 
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(A) an inventory of areas already protected 
10 withing the Exclusive Economic Zone of the 
United States; 
(B) an inventory of areas already protected 
in areas of the ocean beyond the jurisdiction of 
the United States, and a description of any ac-
tivities that are currently allowed in each of the 
areas; and 
(C) an inventory of areas that other coun-
tries or international governing bodies are con-
sidering making a marine protected area; and 
(2) create an inventory of marine areas to in-
clude— 
(A) areas under United States jurisdiction 
that are subject to both a prohibition on all bot-
tom-tending fishing gear and a prohibition on 
all fishing gear with bycatch rates that adversely 
affect marine wildlife populations, and identify 
additional prohibitions on nonfishing commer-
cial activities in those areas; and 
(B) an inventory of the lease areas for off-
shore wind as established by the Bureau of 
Ocean and Energy Management. 
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(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
$2,000,000 to carry out this section. 
SEC. 1408. MARINE BIODIVERSITY CENSUS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in co-
ordination with relevant Federal, State, and Tribal agen-
cies, shall develop a strategy for the United States to initia-
tive a living marine biodiversity census. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The requirements of this sub-
section are that the strategy shall— 
(1) identify what is needed to develop a coordi-
nated, sustained marine biodiversity observation and 
research program to identify and monitor the diver-
sity, abundance, and distribution of marine species; 
how it is changing; and how it impacts ecosystem 
function and services; 
(2) identify existing infrastructure and pro-
grams, such as the Marine Biodiversity Observation 
Network, and how they can be utilized and expanded 
as part of a marine biodiversity census, that includes 
a coordinated data infrastructure; 
(3) include an organizational structure that fa-
cilitates multisector coordination and oversight; and 
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(4) address how this effort will help inform the 
marine biodiversity gap analysis as described in sec-
tion 1410. 
(c) PUBLICATION AND PUBLIC COMMENT.—Not later 
than 60 days after the strategy is published to a public 
website, the strategy shall be published in the Federal Reg-
ister to provide an opportunity for submission of public 
comments for a period of not less than 60 days. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry 
out this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 
through 2026. 
SEC. 1409. MARINE BIODIVERSITY GAP ANALYSIS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce 
and Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with relevant 
Federal and State agencies, shall begin a marine biodiver-
sity gap analysis meeting the requirements described in 
subsection (b) to be completed not later than 18 months 
after such date. Such Secretaries, in coordination with rel-
evant Federal and State agencies, shall update such anal-
ysis not less frequently than every 2 years thereafter. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The requirements of this sub-
section are that the Marine Biodiversity Gap Analysis 
shall— 
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(1) assess habitats, species, and ecosystems across 
the United States ocean waters and coasts; and 
(2) determine what types of habitats, species, 
and ecosystems and the percentage of each type of 
habitat, species, and ecosystem are necessary to pro-
tect in order to— 
(A) protect biodiversity; and 
(B) mitigate and provide resilience to the 
impacts of climate change. 
(c) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary of Commerce shall 
publish the marine biodiversity gap analysis required by 
subsection (a) on a public website. 
(d) REPORT.—Biennially, the Secretary of Commerce 
and the Secretary of the Interior shall publish a report on 
candidate areas for protection and conservation, and on 
progress for advancing protection of habitats, species, and 
biodiversity identified in the gap analysis required by sub-
section (a) and is also informed by the Marine Biodiversity 
Census described in section 1408. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 in each fiscal 
year 2022 through 2026 to carry out this section. 
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Union Calendar No. 511 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3764 
[Report No. 117–695, Part I] 
A BILL 
To direct the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to provide 
for ocean-based climate solutions to reduce car-
bon emissions and global warming; to make 
coastal communities more resilient; and to pro-
vide for the conservation and restoration of ocean 
and coastal habitats, biodiversity, and marine 
mammal and fish populations; and for other pur-
poses. 
DECEMBER 30, 2022 
Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with 
an amendment 
DECEMBER 30, 2022 
Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, House 
Administration, Ways and Means, Transportation and 
Infrastructure, Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services 
discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union and ordered to be 
printed 
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