Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]
In Committee
Summary
Standardize and publish geospatial data about public use of Federal waters to make fishing rules, boating restrictions, and safety hazards easy to find. This bill would require national data standards, a public GIS site, and regular updates and agency-wide interoperability.
Show full summary
- Families and recreational boaters would see maps of areas open or closed to boating, propulsion or horsepower limits, and safety notices like harmful algal blooms. Some data would update in real time and other data would be refreshed at least twice per year.
- Fishers and fisheries managers would get published boundaries and conditions for fishing restrictions and information on what activities are authorized in Federal marine protected areas. That aims to make closures, seasonal limits, and gear rules easier to locate.
- Tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, States, and agencies would be included in coordination and data-sharing partnerships while the bill preserves treaty rights, government-to-government consultation requirements, and excludes Tribal waters or usual fishing areas from its authorities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Public EEZ maps and data access
This bill would require Commerce (NOAA/NMFS) to adopt standards for EEZ geospatial data within 31 months. It would require a public GIS website within 4 years showing fishing closures, boating limits, protected areas, navigation charts, and safety advisories. Core datasets would update at least twice per year and operational data would update in real time. The Secretary could partner with states, tribes, universities, nonprofits, and private firms and must coordinate with multiple Federal agencies. The bill would protect Tribal waters and withhold locations of cultural sites and proprietary fishing information.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]
SC • R
Cosponsors
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
NY • R
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Sponsored 8/8/2025
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/15/2025
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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