---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 1955"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "1955"
heading: "Federal information clearinghouse"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/1955"
units:
  - "Chapter 33A — Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction"
  - "Subchapter I — Noaa and Coast Guard Programs"
---

# §1955. Federal information clearinghouse


The [Under Secretary](/usc/33/1981.md?p=16), in coordination with the [Interagency Committee](/usc/33/1981.md?p=5), shall—

- (1) maintain a Federal information clearinghouse on [marine debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) that will be available to researchers and other interested persons to improve [marine debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) source identification, data sharing, and monitoring efforts through collaborative research and open sharing of data; and
- (2) take the necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality of such information (especially proprietary information), for any information required by the [Under Secretary](/usc/33/1981.md?p=16) to be submitted under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–449, § 104, formerly § 6, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3338; Pub. L. 112–213, title VI, § 607, Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1578; renumbered § 104 and amended Pub. L. 119–65, §§ 2(a)(2), 6(a), Dec. 26, 2025, 139 Stat. 1986, 1990.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Pub. L. 119–65, § 6(a), which directed substitution of “Under Secretary” for “Administrator”, was executed by making the substitution in both introductory provisions and par. (2), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

2012—Par. (2). Pub. L. 112–213 struck out “by the fishing industry” after “to be submitted”.