All Roll Calls
Yes: 413 • No: 0
HR187119th Congress
MAPWaters Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Moore (UT)
Became Law
Summary
This law creates a cross-agency system to produce and publish standardized public geospatial data on federal waterways. It requires agencies to digitize restricted-use data, provide timely updates, and report progress to Congress while preserving existing authorities over navigable waters and fisheries.
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- Families and recreational users get clearer online maps of where to boat, hike, and fish and of any federal fishing restrictions, making trip planning and compliance easier. These resources will be published and updated for public use.
- Federal land and water managers must adopt common data standards, consolidate scattered records, and meet set timelines for digitization and publication. The law also requires regular progress reporting to Congress and preserves agencies' current regulatory roles.
- Researchers, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), state agencies, and nonfederal partners can collaborate under the new framework to share and reuse data and to build on existing data initiatives. The law protects certain disclosures and allows agencies to leverage data already collected.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Online maps for boating and fishing
Within 5 years of enactment, agencies post online maps for federal water access and fishing rules. Maps show boat ramps, portages, fishing access, open or closed dates, and depth info where feasible. They also show no‑wake, speed, anchoring, propulsion, horsepower, fuel, and direction rules, plus allowed uses. Fishing maps show closures, no‑take zones, gear or bait limits, and catch‑and‑release areas. Agencies update waterway access at least twice a year and fishing rules in real time, to the extent possible. This does not cover irrigation canals or flowage easements.
Shared standards and partnerships for water data
Agencies can now partner with States, Tribes, private and nonprofit groups, and the USGS to collect and publish data. Within 30 months, they set shared data standards with the Federal Geographic Data Committee. Public data must follow federal, state, and tribal laws and include a notice of those laws. Agencies must not reveal locations or details of historic, archaeological, or paleontological sites. They reuse existing maps when possible and offer a public process for questions and comments. The Secretaries report progress each year until March 30, 2034.
No change to water access rules
The law does not change the definition of navigable waters. It does not change federal or state powers over navigable waters or fisheries. It does not change which waters were open to hunting, fishing, or other outdoor recreation on the enactment date.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Moore (UT)
UT • R
Cosponsors
Panetta
CA • D
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Fulcher
ID • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Dingell
MI • D
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 1/21/2025
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Yes: 413 • No: 0
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