S. 858: National Oceans Protection Act of 2009

111th Congress · introduced 2009-04-22 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2009-04-22 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

National Oceans Protection Act of 2009

Plain summary

National Oceans Protection Act of 2009 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to secure the full range of benefits of healthy ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems. Establishes a national ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes policy and related principles. Requires each federal agency, as possible and in accordance with other laws, to interpret and administer policies, regulations, and laws in accordance with such policy. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings National Ocean Policy and Leadership Act - Formally establishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a civilian agency and transfers to NOAA's administrator any NOAA-related authority previously vested in the Secretary of Commerce. Establishes: (1) a National Ocean Advisor and a Council on Ocean Stewardship in the Executive Office of the President; and (2) a Presidential Panel of Advisers on Oceans and Climate. Designates nine ocean regions to promote coordinated regional efforts to implement the national ocean policy. Requires the NOAA Administrator to establish or designate a Regional Ocean Partnership for each region and requires each Partnership to prepare a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan. Establishes: (1) the Committee on Ocean Science, Education, and Operations; (2) a marine biodiversity research program; (3) a network of regional Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information Systems; (4) a national interagency ocean and coastal public education program; (5) the National Ocean Science and Technology Scholarship Program; (6) the NOAA Office of Education; and (7) an educational partnership with minority-serving institutions. Requires a national mass media campaign to increase public awareness of oceans. Establishes the Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund. Requires payments to coastal states for Regional Ocean Strategic Plan activities. Authoirzes the United States Postal Service (USPS) to consider printing a special postage stamp to enable the public to help protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystems.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Oceans Protection Act of 2009

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA] · 4 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)

Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-111s858.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/111/s>

Record fed-us-cong111-s858 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111