Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 ). (b) Regional Ocean Partnerships (1) In general A coastal state may participate in a Regional Ocean Partnership with 1 or more other coastal states that share a common ocean or coastal area with the coastal state, without regard to whether the coastal states are contiguous. (2) Application The Governor of a coastal state or the Governors of a group of coastal states may apply to the Secretary of Commerce, on behalf of a partnership, for the partnership to receive designation as a Regional Ocean Partnership if the partnership— (A) meets the requirements under paragraph (3)