---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 1968"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "1968"
heading: "Authorization of appropriations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/1968"
units:
  - "Chapter 33A — Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction"
  - "Subchapter II — Marine Debris Foundation"
---

# §1968. Authorization of appropriations

- (a) **Authorization of appropriations—**
  - (1) **In general—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Commerce to carry out this title[^1] $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024 and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
  - (2) **Use of appropriated funds—** Subject to [paragraph (3)](#a-3), amounts made available under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall be provided to the Foundation to match contributions (whether in currency, services, or property) made to the Foundation, or to a recipient of a grant provided by the Foundation, by private persons, [State](/usc/33/1981.md?p=13) and local government agencies, regional organizations, [Indian Tribes](/usc/33/1981.md?p=4), [Tribal organizations](/usc/33/1981.md?p=15), and foreign governments.
  - (3) **Prohibition on use for administrative expenses—**
    - (A) **In general—** Except as provided in [subparagraph (B)](#a-3-B), no Federal funds made available under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) may be used by the Foundation for administrative expenses of the Foundation, including for salaries, travel and transportation expenses, and other overhead expenses.
    - (B) **Exception—** The [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) may allow the use of Federal funds made available under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) to pay for salaries during the 18-month period beginning on December 18, 2020.
- (b) **Additional authorization—**
  - (1) **In general—** In addition to the amounts made available under [subsection (a)](#a), the Foundation may accept Federal funds from a Federal agency under any other Federal law for use by the Foundation to further the assessment, prevention, reduction, and removal of [marine debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) in accordance with the requirements of this title.[^1]
  - (2) **Use of funds accepted from Federal agencies—** Federal funds provided to the Foundation under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall be used by the Foundation for matching, in whole or in part, contributions (whether in currency, services, or property) made to the Foundation by private persons and [State](/usc/33/1981.md?p=13) and local government agencies.
- (c) **Prohibition on use of grant amounts for litigation and lobbying expenses—** Amounts provided as a grant by the Foundation shall not be used for—
  - (1) any expense related to litigation consistent with Federal-wide cost principles; or
  - (2) any activity the purpose of which is to influence legislation pending before Congress consistent with Federal-wide cost principles.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–449, § 118, formerly Pub. L. 116–224, title I, § 118, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1080; renumbered Pub. L. 109–449, § 118, and amended Pub. L. 119–65, § 3(a), (h), Dec. 26, 2025, 139 Stat. 1987, 1988.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This title, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(1), means title I of Pub. L. 116–224, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1074, which was classified principally to subchapter I (§ 4211 et seq.) of chapter 55 of this title. Subtitles B and C of title I of Pub. L. 116–224 were transferred to subtitles B and C of Pub. L. 109–449 by Pub. L. 119–65, §§ 3(a), 4(a), Dec. 26, 2025, 139 Stat. 1987, 1989, and are classified to this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter, respectively. Subtitle A of title I of Pub. L. 116–224 amended sections 1951, 1958, and 1959 of this title, and subtitle D of title I of Pub. L. 116–224 is classified to part C (§ 4251) of subchapter I of chapter 55 of this title.

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 4218 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 119–65.

### Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 119–65, § 3(h)(1), inserted “and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025” after “through 2024”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 119–65, § 3(h)(2), substituted “, State and local government agencies, regional organizations, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and foreign governments” for “and State and local government agencies”.