Us Code § 4232 - Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 4232 — Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 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.)
About This Section
33 U.S.C. § 4232 is part of Title 33 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 33 U.S.C. § 4232. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.