Signed into law
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).
- Measure
- S. 759 · 119th Congress
- Latest action
- September 25, 2026
- Policy changes
- 3
- Source
- CRS summary (Public Law) · Congress.gov
Became Public Law No: 119-116.
Who wrote it
Sponsor
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)Joined by 1 cosponsor, 1 of them from the day it was introduced. Introduced February 26, 2025.
All 1 cosponsors
- Sen. Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) · original
How Congress voted
No recorded vote: this bill moved by voice vote or unanimous consent, so there is no record of how individual members voted.
Your delegation
Choose your state to see how your senators and representatives wrote, voted on, and spoke about this bill.
In their own words
What members have said about this bill, quoted exactly and linked to the source.
We haven’t found public statements from members about this bill yet.
What it changes — and your vote
One person, one vote · Anyone may read. To vote, verify your identity once with a government-issued ID — we keep no copy of it. Verify to vote
Provision 1
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.)
No verified votes yet
Provision 2
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.
No verified votes yet
Provision 3
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.
No verified votes yet