senateStanding
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Referred To
- Markup By
- Reported By
← Back to federal legislation0 ratings0 comments
S. 759Became law
Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
Introduced: Feb 26, 2025
Latest action date: Sep 25, 2026
Latest development
Became Public Law No: 119-116.
Civixly approval
No ratings yet
Not enough ratings yet. Public approval appears at 5+ ratings.
Your view
- Congress
- 119th Congress
- Introduced
- Feb 26, 2025
- Recorded roll calls
- 0
Status detail: Congress.gov records that the measure became law.
Plain-language overview
What this bill does
Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to publish geospatial data related to public recreational use of federal waterways (e.g., boating and fishing).
Under the bill, 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 bill 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 bill allows NOAA to coordinate and partner with nonfederal entities to carry out this bill. 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.
Official summary from Congress.gov · checked Oct 9, 2026.
Civixly topics
What this legislation is about
Civixly topics make federal and state legislation comparable. They are derived from the official CRS policy area and legislative subjects.
Official CRS policy area
Transportation and Public Works
View 7 official legislative subjects
Data collection, sharing, protectionGeography and mappingGovernment information and archivesHunting and fishingInternet, web applications, social mediaNavigation, waterways, harborsOutdoor recreation
Committee activity
Committees and subcommittees that received, reviewed, marked up, or reported this legislation.
Official committee record ↗
Amendments
Proposed changes to this measure, with their latest official outcome or action from Congress.gov.
No amendments are listed for this measure.
Checked against Congress.gov Oct 16, 2026.
Action timeline
Newest action first. Action language comes from the official Congress.gov record.
View full action timeline23 actions
Signed by President.
PresidentLibrary of CongressBecame Public Law No: 119-116.
PresidentLibrary of CongressBecame Public Law No: 119-116.
BecameLawLibrary of CongressSigned by President.
BecameLawLibrary of CongressPresented to President.
PresidentLibrary of CongressPresented to President.
FloorHouse floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
FloorHouse floor actionsOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5559)
FloorHouse floor actionsPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5559)
FloorLibrary of CongressDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 759.
FloorHouse floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5559-5560)
FloorHouse floor actionsMr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
FloorHouse floor actionsHeld at the desk.
FloorHouse floor actionsReceived in the House.
FloorHouse floor actionsMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
FloorSenatePassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
FloorLibrary of CongressPassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6556; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6556)
FloorSenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-40.
CommitteeLibrary of CongressPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 117.
CalendarsSenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-40.
CommitteeSenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
CommitteeSenateIntroduced in Senate
IntroReferralLibrary of CongressRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
IntroReferralSenate
Roll-call votes
Recorded House and Senate votes connected to this bill. Your representatives appear first when available.
No connected roll-call votes are currently available for this bill.
Discussion
0 comments across 0 threads
Sign in to join the discussion.Comments are publicly visible.
Loading comments...