Description:
S. 2166 would designate four Regional Ocean Partnerships which would consist of coastal states that share a common ocean or coastal area. The bill also would create a process for other groups of two or more coastal states to apply for recognition as such a partnership. Those partnerships would coordinate actions between the state and federal governments to conserve shared coastal resources and liaise with international counterparts. The bill would authorize the appropriation of specific amounts that total $62 million over the 2020-2025 period for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide grants to those partnerships to complete the activities authorized under S. 2166. Based on historical spending patterns for the similar activities, and assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing S. 2166 would cost $45 million over the 2019-2024 period and $17 million after 2024. The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
