Skip to main content
Federal & State Lawfederalstatelaw.com
Home/Federal/Bills (Live)
SENATE 3123118th CongressReceived in the House.

Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act

Last Action
12/19/2024

Actions

  • 2024-12-19Received in the House.
  • 2024-12-19Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  • 2024-12-18Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7145; text: CR S7145-7146)
  • 2024-12-18Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  • 2024-11-21Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 595.
  • 2024-11-21Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  • 2024-11-21Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  • 2024-11-19Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • 2024-06-12Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-394.
  • 2023-10-25Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  • 2023-10-25Introduced in Senate

CRS Summary

As of 2024-12-18 (55)

Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act

This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data on public access to federal waterways for recreational use.

Specifically, the Forest Service and Interior must jointly develop and adopt interagency standards for the collection and dissemination of geospatial data relating to federal fishing restrictions and public recreational use of federal waterways. The standards must ensure compatibility and interoperability among applicable federal databases with respect to the collection and dissemination of such data.

Within five years of the bill's enactment, the Forest Service and Interior must also digitize and make publicly available online, as applicable, certain geographic information system data about (1) federal waterway restrictions, (2) federal waterway access and navigation information, and (3) federal fishing restrictions. Data on waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation must be updated at least annually, and data on fishing restrictions must be updated in real time as changes take effect.

Finally, the Forest Service and Interior must develop a process to allow members of the public to submit questions or comments about waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation.

Cosponsors (1)

  • Angus King (I-ME)

Subjects

  • Congressional oversight
  • Geography and mapping
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Hunting and fishing
  • Land use and conservation
  • Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
  • Marine and inland water transportation
  • Navigation, waterways, harbors
  • Outdoor recreation
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.