H.R. 886 would authorize appropriations for the Marine Debris Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The bill also would authorize NOAA, under that program, to receive funds from other federal agencies and nonfederal entities. In addition, the bill would authorize an appropriation for the Marine Debris Foundation and would allow the foundation to match contributions from foreign governments and from tribal, regional, and nongovernmental organizations. Both the program and the foundation support efforts to remove plastics, discarded fishing gear, and other harmful materials from the marine environment.
CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $40 million over the 2023-2028 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized and estimated amounts. The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).