Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3340
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-23: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 438.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act (H.R. 3340) aims to standardize, publish, and make publicly accessible geospatial data related to fishing restrictions and recreational use of federal waterways, particularly in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The EEZ is the ocean area extending from the outer limit of U.S. territorial waters up to 200 nautical miles offshore, where the U.S. has special rights over natural resources. This legislation seeks to improve coordination and information sharing for safe and informed public outdoor recreation, such as boating, diving, and fishing, without altering existing regulatory authorities.
Key Provisions
- Data Standardization (Section 3): Within 31 months of enactment, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with states, local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations, must develop standards for coordinating and sharing geospatial data (digital mapping information) on fishing restrictions, recreational vessel use in the EEZ, and access to federal waters.
- Data Publication and Accessibility (Section 4): Within 4 years of enactment, the Secretary, through the National Marine Fisheries Service, must publish geographic information system (GIS) data on a public website covering:
- Fishing restrictions, including closures, no-catch zones, and method limits in the EEZ.
- Areas open or closed to recreational boating, diving, and related activities, including safety-related restrictions (e.g., due to harmful algal blooms, which are toxic algae growths in water).
- Restrictions on motorized propulsion, horsepower, or fuel for recreational vessels (small boats used for leisure, not commercial purposes).
- Boundaries of federal marine protected areas (e.g., National Marine Sanctuaries) and allowed activities within them.
- Navigation aids like charts, bathymetric data (underwater depth measurements), and depth information.
- The website must ensure data is organized to be easily findable, accessible, interoperable (compatible across systems), and reusable, with update notifications for users.
- Public comment processes and methods to improve data access are required.
- Updates must occur at least twice yearly for most data, with real-time updates for fishing boundaries and protected areas.
- Sensitive information, such as archaeological sites or commercial fishing details, cannot be disclosed; tribal fishing areas and waters are excluded.
- Cooperation and Coordination (Section 5): The Secretary may partner with non-federal entities (e.g., states, tribes, nonprofits, universities, private tech firms) and enter agreements for implementation. Interagency coordination with departments like Interior, Defense, and the Coast Guard is mandated to ensure compatible federal databases. All data must note applicable federal, state, and tribal laws.
- Rule of Construction (Section 6): The Act does not change definitions of "navigable waters" (waters usable for interstate commerce), affect agency jurisdictions over water regulation or fisheries management, fulfill consultation requirements with tribes, or impact tribal treaties or rights.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandates for the Secretary of Commerce to create uniform data standards and a centralized public website for EEZ recreational and fishing data, which were not previously required by federal law. It builds on existing laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (which governs U.S. fisheries) by enhancing data dissemination without modifying fishery management authorities. It also formalizes ongoing data-sharing efforts, such as navigation charts, into a more comprehensive, accessible framework while protecting proprietary and cultural information.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases coordination burdens for the Department of Commerce and other agencies (e.g., Coast Guard, EPA) to share and update data, potentially improving efficiency in managing recreational access and safety. It may reduce redundant data collection through partnerships.
- On Citizens: Enhances public access to real-time information for safer recreation in federal waters, benefiting boaters, divers, and anglers by reducing risks from restrictions or hazards. This could boost outdoor participation and tourism.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the focus is domestic EEZ management; however, standardized data could indirectly support U.S. positions in international fisheries negotiations by improving transparency on protected areas.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Secretary of Commerce (via National Marine Fisheries Service), Coast Guard, Department of Interior, and others involved in ocean mapping and enforcement.
- State and Local Governments: Consulted for data standards and affected by improved recreational access coordination.
- Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations: Excluded from data mandates for their waters but consulted; protections ensure no infringement on rights.
- Recreational Users: Boaters, divers, fishers, and the public, who gain better access to safety and restriction information.
- Nonprofits, Private Sector, and Academia: Eligible for partnerships to develop and maintain data systems, including tech firms in geospatial mapping.
- Commercial Fishers: Indirectly affected through nondisclosure of proprietary data, preserving competitive advantages.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing fisheries and navigation laws (e.g., Magnuson-Stevens Act) without expansion, avoiding challenges to agency authority. Nondisclosure provisions align with privacy and cultural resource protections under laws like the National Historic Preservation Act.
- Constitutional: Respects tribal sovereignty by excluding tribal waters and affirming treaty rights, consistent with federal trust responsibilities to Native American tribes under the U.S. Constitution and case law.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan interests in recreation and conservation (sponsored by diverse representatives), potentially fostering public support for ocean policy. It emphasizes transparency and stakeholder input, which could influence future environmental data-sharing initiatives without shifting regulatory power.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-23: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 438.
- 2026-02-23: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-512.
- 2026-02-23: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-512.
- 2026-01-22: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-01-22: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (9 pages)
- Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act — issued 2026-02-23 — PDF (12 pages)