Bill Summary
The "Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act" aims to enhance the standardization, publication, and accessibility of data related to public outdoor recreational use of federal waterways, particularly within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The legislation mandates the Secretary of Commerce to develop and adopt data standards for geospatial information regarding fishing restrictions and recreational vessel use in federal waters, in consultation with various stakeholders including state and local governments and tribal organizations.
Key provisions include:
1. **Data Standardization**: Within 31 months of enactment, the Secretary must establish standards for coordinating and disseminating relevant geospatial data.
2. **Data Publication and Accessibility**: The Secretary is required to make comprehensive geospatial data available on a public website within four years, covering fishing restrictions, recreational vessel access, navigation information, and marine protected areas. The data must be organized for easy access and usability.
3. **Public Engagement**: The act establishes processes for public comment and feedback on the data, allowing for ongoing improvement in accessibility.
4. **Collaboration**: The Secretary is encouraged to partner with various non-federal entities, including states, tribes, and educational institutions, as well as coordinate with other federal agencies to ensure data compatibility and interoperability.
5. **Legal Protections**: The legislation clarifies that it does not alter existing definitions or regulatory authorities related to navigable waters, fisheries management, or tribal rights.
Overall, the act seeks to promote better data sharing and transparency for recreational users of federal waterways, while respecting existing laws and tribal rights.
Possible Impacts
The "Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act" could affect people in several significant ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Enhanced Recreational Opportunities**: By standardizing and publishing geospatial data related to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways, the legislation will provide clearer information about where recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and diving can take place. This increased accessibility to data will help recreational users plan their activities more effectively, leading to a potentially greater turnout and enjoyment of outdoor experiences in federal waters.
2. **Safety and Compliance**: The legislation requires the Secretary to provide data about fishing restrictions, hazardous conditions (like harmful algal blooms), and areas where certain types of vessels may be restricted. This information could enhance safety for recreational users, as they would be better informed about the conditions in which they are operating. Improved knowledge of restrictions can help prevent unintentional violations of regulations, thereby reducing penalties and promoting responsible use of marine resources.
3. **Empowerment of Local and Tribal Communities**: The Act emphasizes cooperation with Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and local governments to ensure that data reflects the interests and concerns of these stakeholders. This involvement can empower these communities by giving them a voice in how recreational access is managed and promoting sustainable practices. Additionally, improved data access might help these communities advocate for their rights and interests concerning the use and conservation of marine resources.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3340 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 438
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3340
[Report No. 119-512]
To provide for the standardization, publication, and accessibility of
data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 13, 2025
Mr. Fry (for himself, Mr. Levin, and Mr. Panetta) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
February 23, 2026
Additional sponsors: Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Case, Mr. Garbarino,
Mr. Lawler, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Ms. Mace, Mr. Min, Mr.
Rutherford, Ms. Gillen, Mr. Vindman, Ms. McBride, and Mr. Tran
February 23, 2026
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
and ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the standardization, publication, and accessibility of
data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Modernizing Access to Our Public
Oceans Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Exclusive economic zone.--The term ``exclusive economic
zone'' has the meaning given that term in section 107 of title
46, United States Code.
(2) Fishing restriction.--The term ``fishing restriction''
means a restriction on fishing in a federally managed fishery
established under section 303(b)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1853(b)(2)),
including--
(A) a full or partial fishing closure, in terms of
both area and duration, or a seasonal closure;
(B) a no-catch zone in the fishery;
(C) a restriction on the method of catch for the
fishery; and
(D) another restriction on fishing, as determined
by the Secretary.
(3) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms ``Indian
Tribe'' and ``Tribal organization'' have the meanings given
those terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(4) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native
Hawaiian organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517), except that the term includes the
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian
Affairs of the State of Hawaii.
(5) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization that is described in
section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt
from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
(6) Recreational vessel.--The term ``recreational vessel''
has the meaning given that term in section 2101 of title 46,
United States Code.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
SEC. 3. DATA STANDARDIZATION.
Not later than 31 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary, in consultation with relevant stakeholders,
including State and local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native
Hawaiian organizations, shall develop and adopt standards with respect
to the coordination and dissemination of geospatial data relating to
fishing restrictions, use of the exclusive economic zone by
recreational vessels, and access to Federal waters by such vessels,
including such data made available under section 4.
SEC. 4. DATA PUBLICATION AND ACCESSIBILITY.
(a) Data on Fishing and Recreational Vessels in Exclusive Economic
Zone.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology of the National Marine Fisheries Service, and to
the maximum extent practicable, shall make available on a publicly
accessible website geographic information system data that--
(1) includes, with respect to the exclusive economic zone--
(A) information with respect to the conditions
under which fishing restrictions are imposed and the
areas within the exclusive economic zone that are open
or closed to recreational boating, diving, and related
recreational activities (as determined by the
Secretary), including for safety reasons such as
because of the presence of harmful algal blooms;
(B) the areas of the exclusive economic zone with
restrictions on the use of motorized propulsion,
horsepower, or fuel by or of recreational vessels; and
(C) the types of recreational vessels that are
restricted on each area of the exclusive economic zone;
(2) describes the geographic boundaries of areas where
fishing restrictions occur; and
(3)(A) identifies Federal marine protected areas, including
National Marine Sanctuaries, national marine monuments, and
other federally protected waters; and
(B) includes information on what fishing, recreational
boating, and other related recreational activities are
authorized in each such area.
(b) Data on Navigation Within Exclusive Economic Zone.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall continue to make
available digitized geographic information system data that
includes, with respect to access to the exclusive economic
zone--
(A) navigation information;
(B) bathymetric information;
(C) depth charts; and
(D) other information, consistent with law and
policy.
(2) Website.--The Secretary shall, to the extent
practicable, make the data described in paragraph (1) available
on the website on which the Secretary makes the data described
in subsection (a) available.
(c) Data Accessibility.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
website on which the Secretary makes the data described in subsections
(a) and (b) available--
(1) organizes that data so that the data is findable,
accessible, interoperable, and reusable; and
(2) includes a mechanism by which users can be easily
updated when new data becomes available.
(d) Public Comment.--The Secretary shall develop--
(1) a process to allow members of the public to submit
questions or comments regarding the data described in
subsections (a) and (b) and the accessibility of that data
under subsection (c); and
(2) methods to improve the accessibility of data.
(e) Updates.--The Secretary shall update--
(1) the data described in subsections (a)(1) and (b) not
less frequently than 2 times each year; and
(2) the data described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of
subsection (a) in real time.
(f) Nondisclosure of Certain Information.--The Secretary may not,
consistent with applicable law and policy, disclose, in any geographic
information system data made publicly available under this section--
(1) information regarding the nature, location, character,
or ownership of historic, paleontological, cultural, or
archaeological resources; or
(2) commercial fishing information, including proprietary
information.
(g) Treatment of Tribal Waters and Fishing Areas.--The authorities
granted by this section shall not apply with respect to any usual or
accustomed fishing areas or Tribal waters.
SEC. 5. COOPERATION AND COORDINATION.
(a) Community Partners and Third-Party Providers.--For purposes of
carrying out this Act, the Secretary may--
(1) coordinate and partner with non-Federal entities,
including--
(A) States;
(B) Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations,
and Tribal organizations;
(C) interstate commissions (as defined in section
303 of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986
(16 U.S.C. 4102));
(D) Regional Ocean Partnerships (as defined in
section 10202 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (16 U.S.C.
1468));
(E) experts in data science, analytics, and
operations research;
(F) the private sector, including technology or
geospatial data industries;
(G) nonprofit organizations; and
(H) institutions of higher education (as defined in
section 201 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001)); and
(2) enter into agreements with experts within entities
described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (H) of paragraph
(1) to carry out any of the provisions of this Act.
(b) Interagency Coordination.--The Secretary shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, work with the relevant offices of the Department of
the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense,
the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Interagency Working
Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping codified by section 12203 of the
Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3502), to ensure
compatibility and interoperability among applicable Federal databases
with respect to the collection and dissemination of geospatial data
relating to public outdoor recreational use of the exclusive economic
zone.
(c) Applicability of Federal, State, and Tribal Law and
Regulations.--The Secretary, in developing and distributing geospatial
data under this Act, shall make clear that the data are subject to
applicable laws and regulations of the Federal Government, States, and
Indian Tribes.
SEC. 6. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed--
(1) to modify or alter the definition of the term
``navigable waters'' under any provision of Federal law;
(2) to affect the jurisdiction or authority of Federal or
State agencies to regulate navigable waters;
(3) to increase or diminish the responsibility or authority
of Federal or State agencies or Indian Tribes to manage
fisheries under existing law;
(4) to satisfy any requirement for government-to-government
consultation with Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations; or
(5) to affect or modify any treaty or other right of any
Indian Tribe.
Union Calendar No. 438
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3340
[Report No. 119-512]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the standardization, publication, and accessibility of
data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
February 23, 2026
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
and ordered to be printed