,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bcgb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #ca1 #bjai ,mr4 ,menendez 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,sullivan1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,coons1 ,mr4 ,murphy1 and ,mr4 ,blumenthal7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to enhance global engagement to combat marine debris1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 definitions 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,save ,our ,seas #b4j3 ,enhanced ,global ,engagement to ,combat ,marine ,debris ,act4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,circular economy ,the term circular economy means an economy that uses a systems-focused approach and involves industrial processes and economic activities that-- 7,a7 are restorative or regenerative by design2 7,b7 enable resources used in such processes and activities to maintain their highest values for as long as possible2 and 7,c7 aim for the elimination of waste through the superior design of materials1 products1 and systems 7including business models74 7#b7 ,,epa ,administrator ,the term ,,epa ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#c7 ,marine debris ,the term marine debris has the meaning given that term in section #g of the ,marine ,debris ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #aief74 7#d7 ,marine debris event ,the term marine debris event means an event or related events that affects or may imminently affect the ,united ,states involving-- 7,a7 marine debris caused by a natural event1 including a tsunami1 flood1 landslide1 hurricane1 or other natural source2 7,b7 distinct1 nonrecurring marine debris1 including derelict vessel groundings and container spills1 that have immediate or long-term impacts on habitats with high ecological1 economic1 or human-use values2 or 7,c7 marine debris caused by an intentional or grossly negligent act or acts that causes substantial economic or environmental harm4 7#e7 ,post-consumer materials management ,the term post-consumer materials management means the systems1 operation1 supervision1 and aftercare of processes and equipment for post-consumer materials1 including -- 7,a7 collection2 7,b7 transport2 7,c7 safe disposal of waste1 such as post-consumer materials that cannot be recovered1 reused1 recycled1 repaired1 or refurbished2 and 7,d7 systems and processes related to recovering1 recycling1 reusing1 repairing1 or refurbishing post-consumer materials4 7#f7 ,under ,secretary ,the term ,under ,secretary means the ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere and ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 #b4 ,statement of policy on international cooperation to combat marine debris ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to partner1 consult1 and coordinate with foreign governments 7at the national and subnational levels71 civil society1 international organizations1 international financial institutions1 subnational coastal communities1 commercial and recreational fishing industry leaders1 and the private sector1 in a concerted effort-- 7#a7 to increase knowledge and raise awareness about-- 7,a7 the linkages between the sources of plastic waste1 mismanaged waste and post-consumer materials1 and marine debris2 and 7,b7 the upstream and downstream causes and effects of plastic waste1 mismanaged waste and post-consumer materials1 and marine debris on marine environments1 marine wildlife1 human health1 and economic development2 7#b7 to support-- 7,a7 strengthening systems for recovering1 managing1 reusing 7to the extent practicable71 and recycling plastic waste1 marine debris1 and microfiber pollution in the world's oceans1 emphasizing upstream post-consumer materials management solutions-- 7i7 to mitigate plastic waste at its source2 and 7ii7 to prevent leakage of plastic waste into the environment2 7,b7 advancing the utilization and availability of safe and affordable reusable alternatives to disposable plastic products in commerce1 to the extent practicable1 and with consideration for the potential impacts of such alternatives1 and other efforts to prevent marine debris2 7,c7 deployment of and access to advanced technologies to capture value from post-consumer materials and municipal solid waste streams through mechanical and other recycling systems2 7,d7 access to information on best practices in post-consumer materials management1 options for post-consumer materials management systems financing1 and options for participating in public-private partnerships2 and 7,e7 implementation of management measures to reduce derelict fishing gear1 the loss of fishing gear1 and other sources of pollution generated from marine activities and to increase proper disposal and recycling of fishing gear2 and 7#c7 to work cooperatively with international partners-- 7,a7 on establishing-- 7i7 measurable targets for reducing marine debris1 lost fishing gear1 and plastic waste from all sources2 and 7ii7 action plans to achieve those targets with a mechanism to provide regular reporting2 7,b7 to promote consumer education1 awareness1 and outreach to prevent marine debris2 7,c7 to reduce marine debris by improving advance planning for marine debris events and responses to such events2 and 7,d7 to share best practices in post-consumer materials management systems to prevent the entry of plastic waste into the environment4 #c4 ,prioritization of efforts and assistance to combat marine debris and improve plastic waste management 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state shall1 in coordination with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 as appropriate1 and the officials specified in subsection 7b7-- 7#a7 lead and coordinate efforts to implement the policy described in section #b2 and 7#b7 develop strategies and implement programs that prioritize engagement and cooperation with foreign governments1 subnational and local stakeholders1 and the private sector to expedite efforts and assistance in foreign countries-- 7,a7 to partner with1 encourage1 advise and facilitate national and subnational governments on the development and execution1 where practicable1 of national projects1 programs and initiatives to-- 7i7 improve the capacity1 security1 and standards of operations of post-consumer materials management systems2 7ii7 monitor and track how well post-consumer materials management systems are functioning nationwide1 based on uniform and transparent standards developed in cooperation with municipal1 industrial1 and civil society stakeholders2 7iii7 identify the operational challenges of post-consumer materials management systems and develop policy and programmatic solutions2 7iv7 end intentional or unintentional incentives for municipalities1 industries1 and individuals to improperly dispose of plastic waste2 and 7v7 conduct outreach campaigns to raise public awareness of the importance of proper waste disposal2 7,b7 to facilitate the involvement of municipalities and industries in improving solid waste reduction1 collection1 disposal1 and reuse and recycling projects1 programs1 and initiatives2 7,c7 to partner with and provide technical assistance to investors1 and national and local institutions1 including private sector actors1 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-- 7i7 maximizing the number of people and businesses1 in both rural and urban communities1 receiving reliable solid waste and post-consumer materials management services2 7ii7 improving and expanding the capacity of foreign industries to responsibly employ post-consumer materials management practices2 7iii7 improving and expanding the capacity and transparency of tracking mechanisms for marine debris to reduce the impacts on the marine environment2 7iv7 eliminating incentives that undermine responsible post-consumer materials management practices and lead to improper waste disposal practices and leakage2 7v7 building the capacity of countries-- 7,i7 to monitor1 regulate1 and manage waste1 post-consumer materials and plastic waste1 and pollution appropriately and transparently2 7,,ii7 to encourage private investment in post-consumer materials management2 and 7,,iii7 to encourage private investment1 grow opportunities1 and develop markets for recyclable1 reusable1 and repurposed plastic waste and post-consumer materials1 and products with high levels of recycled plastic content1 at both national and local levels2 and 7vi7 promoting safe and affordable reusable alternatives to disposable plastic products1 to the extent practicable2 and 7,d7 to research1 identify1 and facilitate opportunities to promote collection and proper disposal of damaged or derelict fishing gear4 7b7 ,officials specified ,the officials specified in this subsection are the following3 7#a7 ,the ,united ,states ,trade ,representative4 7#b7 ,the ,under ,secretary4 7#c7 ,the ,,epa ,administrator4 7#d7 ,the ,director of the ,trade and ,development ,agency4 7#e7 ,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 ,corporation1 as appropriate4 7#f7 ,the ,chief ,executive ,officer and the ,board of ,directors of the ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation4 7#g7 ,the heads of such other agencies as the ,secretary of ,state considers appropriate4 7c7 ,prioritization ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the officials specified in subsection 7b7 shall prioritize assistance to countries with-- 7#a7 rapidly developing economies2 and 7#b7 rivers and coastal areas that are the most severe sources of marine debris4 7d7 ,effectiveness measurement ,in prioritizing and expediting efforts and assistance under this section1 the officials specified in subsection 7b7 shall use clear1 accountable1 and metric-based targets to measure the effectiveness of guarantees and assistance in achieving the policy described in section #b4 7e7 ,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 7b74 #d4 ,united ,states leadership in international fora ,in implementing the policy described in section #b1 the ,president shall direct the ,united ,states representatives to appropriate international bodies and conferences 7such as the ,united ,nations ,environment ,programme1 the ,association of ,southeast ,asian ,nations1 the ,asia ,pacific ,economic ,cooperation1 the ,group of #g1 the ,group of #bj1 and the ,our ,ocean ,conference7 to use the voice1 vote1 and influence of the ,united ,states1 consistent with the broad foreign policy goals of the ,united ,states1 to advocate that each such body-- 7#a7 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 services1 in partnership with the private sector and consistent with the constraints of other countries2 7#b7 address the post-consumer materials management needs of individuals and communities where access to municipal post-consumer materials management services is historically impractical or cost-prohibitive2 7#c7 enhance coordination with the private sector-- 7,a7 to increase access to solid waste and post-consumer materials management services2 7,b7 to utilize safe and affordable reusable alternatives to disposable plastic products1 to the extent practicable2 7,c7 to encourage and incentivize the use of recycled content2 and 7,d7 to grow economic opportunities and develop markets for recyclable1 reusable1 and repurposed plastic waste materials and other efforts that support the circular economy2 7#d7 provide technical assistance to foreign regulatory authorities and governments to remove unnecessary barriers to investment in otherwise commercially viable projects related to-- 7,a7 post-consumer materials management2 7,b7 the use of safe and affordable reusable alternatives to disposable plastic products1 to the extent practicable2 or 7,c7 beneficial reuse of solid waste1 plastic waste1 post-consumer materials1 plastic products1 and refuse2 7#e7 use clear1 accountable1 and metric-based targets to measure the effectiveness of such projects2 and 7#f7 engage international partners in an existing multilateral forum 7or1 if necessary1 establish through an international agreement a new multilateral forum7 to improve global cooperation on-- 7,a7 creating tangible metrics for evaluating efforts to reduce plastic waste and marine debris2 7,b7 developing and implementing best practices for collecting1 disposing1 recycling1 and reusing plastic waste and post-consumer materials1 including building capacity for improving post-consumer materials management at the national and subnational levels of foreign countries1 particularly countries with little to no solid waste or post-consumer materials management systems1 facilities1 or policies in place2 7,c7 encouraging the development of standards and practices1 and increasing recycled content percentage requirements for disposable plastic products2 7,d7 integrating tracking and monitoring systems into post-consumer materials management systems2 7,e7 fostering research to improve scientific understanding of-- 7i7 how microfibers and microplastics may affect marine ecosystems1 human health and safety1 and maritime activities2 7ii7 changes in the amount and regional concentrations of plastic waste in the ocean1 based on scientific modeling and forecasting2 7iii7 the role rivers1 streams1 and other inland waterways play in serving as conduits for mismanaged waste traveling from land to the ocean2 7iv7 effective means to eliminate present and future leakages of plastic waste into the environment2 and 7v7 other related areas of research the ,united ,states representatives deem necessary2 7,f7 encouraging the ,world ,bank and other international finance organizations to prioritize efforts to combat marine debris2 7,g7 collaborating on technological advances in post-consumer materials management and recycled plastics2 7,h7 growing economic opportunities and developing markets for recyclable1 reusable1 and repurposed plastic waste and post-consumer materials and other efforts that support the circular economy2 and 7,i7 advising foreign countries1 at both the national and subnational levels1 on the development and execution of regulatory policies1 services1 including recycling and reuse of plastic1 and laws pertaining to reducing the creation and the collection and safe management of-- 7i7 solid waste2 7ii7 post-consumer materials2 7iii7 plastic waste2 and 7iv7 marine debris4 #e4 ,enhancing international outreach and partnership of ,united ,states agencies involved in marine debris activities 7a7 ,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 ,agency4 7b7 ,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 partnerships1 as appropriate1 with the governments of foreign countries and to support international efforts to combat marine debris4 #f4 ,negotiation of new international agreements ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to ,congress a report-- 7#a7 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 gear1 consistent with section #d2 7#b7 describing the provisions that could be included in such agreements2 and 7#c7 assessing potential parties to such agreements4 #g4 ,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 ,act1 the ,president shall1 as appropriate-- 7#a7 consider the impact of land-based sources of plastic waste and other solid waste from that country on the marine and aquatic environment2 and 7#b7 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 environment4