119th Congress · introduced in the Senate · Feb 26, 2025
Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Sep 25, 2026): Became Public Law No: 119-116.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Transportation and Public Works
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Public Law (Sep 25, 2026) · 2 versions published
Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
This act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to standardize and publish geospatial data related to public recreational use of federal waterways (e.g., boating and fishing).
Under the act, NOAA must consult with relevant stakeholders (including state and local governments, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations) to develop and adopt standards for the coordination and dissemination of geospatial data relating to fishing restrictions and recreational vessels' use of federal waterways, including the exclusive economic zone of the United States (EEZ). (The EEZ generally includes waters between 3 and 200 miles seaward from the U.S. coastline.)
Within four years after the act is enacted, NOAA must provide geographic information system data on a public website that identifies and describes the locations where and conditions under which certain recreational activities are restricted in federal waterways. Specifically, the website must identify (1) locations where fishing restrictions are imposed, (2) areas in the EEZ with restrictions on specified recreational vessel types, and (3) federally protected areas (e.g., National Marine Sanctuaries). NOAA must also continue to provide digitized navigation information related to the EEZ and make the information available on the website to the extent practicable.
The act allows NOAA to coordinate and partner with nonfederal entities to carry out this act. It also directs NOAA to work with other federal agencies to ensure compatibility and interoperability among federal databases with respect to collecting and disseminating geospatial data related to the public outdoor recreational use of the EEZ.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Became Public Law No: 119-116.
Became Public Law No: 119-116.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5559)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5559)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 759.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5559-5560)
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6556; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6556)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 117.
Data collection, sharing, protection · Geography and mapping · Government information and archives · Hunting and fishing · Internet, web applications, social media · Navigation, waterways, harbors · Outdoor recreation
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-40.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-40.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Coverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026.
7 citations.
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 16, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…or H.R.1514 and S. 1078, the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 187, the MAPWaters Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 3340 and S. 759, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. Support for H.R. 3858, the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH SHAREHOLDERS' ALLIANCE · lobbying firm or registrant: K&L GATES, LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 12, 2026 · issue area: Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…S.3065, LABEL Act of 2026. Entire bill. H.R.8800 and S.4784, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. Provisions regarding seafood and fishing. S.759, Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. Entire bill.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 29, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…or H.R.1514 and S. 1078, the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 187, the MAPWaters Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 3340 and S. 759, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. Support for H.R. 3858, the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 23, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…or H.R.1514 and S. 1078, the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 187, the MAPWaters Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 3340 and S. 759, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. Support for H.R. 3858, the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 21, 2026 · issue area: Natural Resources
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…or H.R.1514 and S. 1078, the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 187, the MAPWaters Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 3340 and S. 759, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. Support for H.R. 3858, the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 21, 2025 · issue area: Natural Resources
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…or H.R.1514 and S. 1078, the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 187, the MAPWaters Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 3340 and S. 759, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. Support for H.R. 3858, the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 24, 2025 · issue area: Natural Resources
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…or H.R.1514 and S. 1078, the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 187, the MAPWaters Act of 2025. Support for H.R. 3340 and S. 759, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. Support for H.R. 3858, the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing