MAPWaters Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 187
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-62
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-62.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T20:14:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 187: Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 (MAPWaters Act of 2025)
Purpose
The legislation aims to improve public access to information about outdoor recreation on federal waterways by requiring federal agencies to standardize, consolidate, and publicly share digital data. This focuses on recreational activities like boating, fishing, and navigation, making it easier for people to understand rules, restrictions, and access points without changing existing regulations.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes clear terms, such as "Federal waterway" (waters managed by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior), "Federal land or water management agency" (including the Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service), and restrictions on fishing or waterway use.
- Interagency Data Standardization (Sec. 3): Within 30 months of enactment, the Secretaries must work with the Federal Geographic Data Committee to create shared standards for collecting and sharing geospatial data (digital maps and location-based information) on recreational access to federal waterways and fishing restrictions. This ensures databases from different agencies work together seamlessly.
- Data Consolidation and Public Availability (Sec. 4): Within 5 years, agencies must digitize and post online geographic information system (GIS) data covering:
- Waterway Restrictions: Open/closed status, seasonal closures, limits on motorized boats (e.g., horsepower or fuel type), no-wake zones, speed limits, direction of travel, and allowed uses (e.g., canoes, motorboats, swimming, or personal watercraft).
- Access and Navigation: Locations of boat ramps, portages (paths around obstacles), fishing sites, and their open/closed dates; plus depth charts where possible.
- Fishing Restrictions: Boundaries of closed areas, no-take zones (where fishing is banned), equipment or bait limits, and catch-and-release rules.
- A public comment process for questions; updates at least twice yearly (or real-time for fishing changes); exclusions for irrigation canals and easements (rights to use land for water flow); and protections against revealing sensitive sites like historical or archaeological areas.
- Cooperation and Coordination (Sec. 5): Agencies can partner with states, tribes, tech companies, nonprofits, and the U.S. Geological Survey for data work. All data must follow federal, state, and tribal laws, and build on existing resources like the Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act.
- Reporting (Sec. 6): Annual progress reports to key congressional committees through March 30, 2034.
- No Changes to Existing Rules (Sec. 7): Explicitly states the act does not alter definitions of "navigable waters," agency authority over water or fisheries management, or current access to recreational areas.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces mandatory timelines and standards for digitizing and sharing previously scattered or non-digital data across agencies, building on but expanding laws like the Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act (which focused on land access).
- Requires new public online portals and interoperability (ability of systems to exchange data), which were not previously mandated for waterway recreation.
- Adds real-time updates for fishing restrictions and public input mechanisms, enhancing transparency without overriding current regulations.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases coordination among the five specified agencies, potentially raising costs for digitization and maintenance but streamlining operations through shared standards. The U.S. Geological Survey may take on some data aggregation roles.
- Citizens: Improves safety and planning for recreational users (e.g., boaters, anglers) by providing free, easy-to-use online maps and updates, reducing confusion from fragmented agency websites. No direct changes to access rights.
- International Relations: Minimal impact, as the focus is domestic federal waterways; it does not address cross-border waters or foreign entities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily the Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and supporting entities like the U.S. Geological Survey.
- Recreational Users: Boaters, fishers, swimmers, and outdoor enthusiasts who rely on federal waterways for activities.
- State and Tribal Governments: Involved in partnerships for data sharing and compliance with local laws.
- Private and Nonprofit Sectors: Tech companies, geospatial experts, and conservation groups that may assist in data development or use the information for apps and guides.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing agency authorities under laws like the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) by requiring data compliance without expanding or limiting jurisdiction. Protects sensitive resources under laws like the National Historic Preservation Act.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress power over federal lands and waters, by promoting efficient public use without infringing on state rights or private property.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of public land access and transparency, potentially reducing user frustrations with bureaucracy. Annual reporting to Congress ensures oversight, but the "no effect" clause (Sec. 7) prevents it from being used to challenge or expand regulations, limiting controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-62.
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-62.
- 2025-12-26: Signed by President.
- 2025-12-26: Signed by President.
- 2025-12-18: Presented to President.
- 2025-12-18: Presented to President.
- 2025-12-17: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-12-16: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8766-8768)
- 2025-12-16: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- 2025-12-16: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-12-16: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-01-22: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-01-21: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-01-21: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 19). (text: CR H238-239) (Roll call 19)
- 2025-01-21: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 19). (text: CR H238-239) (Roll call 19)
Bill Versions
- Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-21 — PDF (12 pages)
- Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (4 pages)
- Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (10 pages)
- Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-22 — PDF (10 pages)