Part B—Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations

§4231. Definitions

In this part:

(1) Prize competition

The term "prize competition" means the competition for the award of the Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations established under section 4232 of this title.

(2) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce.

(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, §121, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1081.)

§4232. Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations

(a) In general

(1) In general

Not later than 1 year after December 18, 2020, the Secretary shall establish under section 3719 of title 15 a prize competition—

(A) to encourage technological innovation with the potential to reduce plastic waste, and associated and potential pollution, and thereby prevent marine debris; and

(B) to award 1 or more prizes biennially for projects that advance human understanding and innovation in removing and preventing plastic waste, in one of the categories described in paragraph (2).

(2) Categories for projects

The categories for projects are:

(A) Advancements in materials used in packaging and other products that, if such products enter the coastal or ocean environment, will fully degrade without harming the environment, wildlife, or human health.

(B) Innovations in production and packaging design that reduce the use of raw materials, increase recycled content, encourage reusability and recyclability, and promote a circular economy.

(C) Improvements in marine debris detection, monitoring, and cleanup technologies and processes.

(D) Improvements or improved strategies to increase solid waste collection, processing, sorting, recycling, or reuse.

(E) New designs or strategies to reduce overall packaging needs and promote reuse.

(b) Designation

The prize competition established under subsection (a) shall be known as the "Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations".

(c) Prioritization

In selecting awards for the prize competition, priority shall be given to projects that—

(1) have a strategy, submitted with the application or proposal, to move the new technology, process, design, material, or other product supported by the prize to market-scale deployment;

(2) support the concept of a circular economy; and

(3) promote development of materials that—

(A) can fully degrade in the ocean without harming the environment, wildlife, or human health; and

(B) are to be used in fishing gear or other maritime products that have an increased likelihood of entering the coastal or ocean environment as unintentional waste.

(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, §122, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1081.)

§4233. Agreement with the Marine Debris Foundation

(a) In general

The Secretary may offer to enter into an agreement, which may include a grant or cooperative agreement, under which the Marine Debris Foundation established under title I ¹ may administer the prize competition.

(b) Requirements

An agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) Duties

The Marine Debris Foundation shall—

(A) advertise the prize competition;

(B) solicit prize competition participants;

(C) administer funds relating to the prize competition;

(D) receive Federal and non-Federal funds—

(i) to administer the prize competition; and

(ii) to award a cash prize;

(E) carry out activities to generate contributions of non-Federal funds to offset, in whole or in part—

(i) the administrative costs of the prize competition; and

(ii) the costs of a cash prize;

(F) in the design and award of the prize, consult, as appropriate with experts from—

(i) Federal agencies with jurisdiction over the prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials;

(ii) State agencies with jurisdiction over the prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials;

(iii) State, regional, or local conservation or post-consumer materials management organizations, the mission of which relates to the prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials;

(iv) conservation groups, technology companies, research institutions, scientists (including those with expertise in marine environments) institutions of higher education, industry, or individual stakeholders with an interest in the prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials;

(v) experts in the area of standards development regarding the degradation, breakdown, or recycling of polymers; and

(vi) other relevant experts of the Board's choosing;

(G) in consultation with, and subject to final approval by, the Secretary, develop criteria for the selection of prize competition winners;

(H) provide advice and consultation to the Secretary on the selection of judges under section 4234 of this title based on criteria developed in consultation with, and subject to the final approval of, the Secretary;

(I) announce 1 or more annual winners of the prize competition;

(J) subject to paragraph (2), award 1 or more cash prizes biennially of not less than $100,000; and

(K) protect against unauthorized use or disclosure by the Marine Debris Foundation of any trade secret or confidential business information of a prize competition participant.

(2) Additional cash prizes

The Marine Debris Foundation may award more than 1 cash prize in a year—

(A) if the initial cash prize referred to in paragraph (1)(J) and any additional cash prizes are awarded using only non-Federal funds; and

(B) consisting of an amount determined by the Under Secretary after the Secretary is notified by the Marine Debris Foundation that non-Federal funds are available for an additional cash prize.

(3) Solicitation of funds

The Marine Debris Foundation—

(A) may request and accept Federal funds and non-Federal funds for a cash prize or administration of the prize competition;

(B) may accept a contribution for a cash prize in exchange for the right to name the prize; and

(C) shall not give special consideration to any Federal agency or non-Federal entity in exchange for a donation for a cash prize awarded under this section.

(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, §123, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1082.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Title I, referred to in subsec. (a), means title I of Pub. L. 116–224, which is classified principally to this subchapter, but probably should have been a reference to subtitle B of title I of Pub. L. 116–224, which is classified generally to part A of this subchapter and relates to the Marine Debris Foundation.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§4234. Judges

(a) Appointment

The Secretary shall appoint not fewer than 3 judges who shall, except as provided in subsection (b), select the 1 or more annual winners of the prize competition.

(b) Determination by the Secretary

The judges appointed under subsection (a) shall not select any annual winner of the prize competition if the Secretary makes a determination that, in any fiscal year, none of the technological advancements entered into the prize competition merits an award.

(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, §124, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1083.)

§4235. Report to Congress

Not later than 60 days after the date on which a cash prize is awarded under this subchapter, the Secretary shall post on a publicly available website a report on the prize competition that includes—

(1) if the Secretary has entered into an agreement under section 4233 of this title, a statement by the Marine Debris Foundation that describes the activities carried out by the Marine Debris Foundation relating to the duties described in section 4233 of this title; and

(2) a statement by 1 or more of the judges appointed under section 4234 of this title that explains the basis on which the winner of the cash prize was selected.

(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, §125, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1083.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This subchapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title I of Pub. L. 116–224, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1074, which is classified principally to this subchapter. For complete classification of title I to the Code, see Tables.

§4236. Authorization of appropriations

Of the amounts authorized under section 4218(a) of this title, the Secretary of Commerce shall use up to $1,000,000 to carry out this part.

(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, §126, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1083.)

§4237. Termination of authority

The prize program will terminate after 5 prize competition cycles have been completed.

(Pub. L. 116–224, title I, §127, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1083.)