S-759 — Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act

This bill became law on 2026-09-25 as Public Law No. 119-116.

The summary below describes the bill at the version we last reviewed; the enacted text may differ.

YourVoice.Now Summary

Transparency & AccountabilityCivil LibertiesCorporate Benefits

One public map must now show where you can fish, boat, and dive offshore — closures updated live.

Transparency & Accountability

Public offshore fishing and boating map — online within four years

The site must show which ocean areas are open or closed to fishing, boating, and diving. NOAA has four years to build it, to the fullest extent it can.

Closure boundaries updated in real time — other data twice yearly

Where a closed area starts and stops must be kept current as it changes. The same goes for protected waters. Other layers, like motor limits and depth charts, refresh at least twice a year.

Public comment channel on the data — questions and suggestions accepted

NOAA must set up a way for anyone to send questions or comments about the data. It must also find ways to make the data easier to use.

Users get notice of new data

The website must include a way for users to be told when new data goes up. People do not have to keep checking the site for changes.

Historic and cultural site locations — kept off the public maps

NOAA may not post where historic, cultural, or archaeological sites are, or who owns them. Fossil sites are covered by the same rule.

Commercial fishing business data — kept off the public maps

The map may not show commercial fishing data, such as a company's private records. Where fishing boats work is not posted.

Civil Liberties

Tribal fishing waters exempt — new mapping powers do not apply

The new mapping powers do not reach Tribal waters or the fishing spots Tribes have long used. The law also says it does not change treaty rights or count as consulting Tribes.

Corporate Benefits

Private firms could get map work — NOAA may sign agreements

NOAA can team up with states, Tribes, colleges, nonprofits, and private tech and mapping firms. It can sign agreements with experts at those groups to do parts of the work.

More about this bill

If you fish, dive, or boat in federal ocean waters, one public website must now show where you can go. The map must mark fishing closures, no-catch zones, and limits on fishing gear. It must also show where boat motors, horsepower, or fuel are limited. Some areas close for safety, such as when harmful algae bloom. The site must list marine sanctuaries and monuments, and what each one allows. NOAA (the federal ocean agency) has until September 2030 to open the site. Its data standards are due by about April 2029. Closure lines and protected areas must update in real time. Most other data must refresh at least twice a year. You can send questions or comments about what is posted. Two things stay off the map: historic and cultural sites, and private commercial fishing data. The new mapping duties do not reach Tribal waters. No fishing rule itself changes.

Congressional Summary

Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to publish geospatial data related to public recreational use of federal waterways (e.g., boating and fishing). Under the bill, NOAA must consult with relevant stakeholders (including state and local governments, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations) to develop and adopt standards for the coordination and dissemination of geospatial data relating to fishing restrictions and recreational vessels' use of federal waterways, including the exclusive economic zone of the United States (EEZ). (The EEZ generally includes waters between 3 and 200 miles seaward from the U.S. coastline.) Within four years after the bill is enacted, NOAA must provide geographic information system data on a public website that identifies and describes the locations where and conditions under which certain recreational activities are restricted in federal waterways. Specifically, the website must identify (1) locations where fishing restrictions are imposed, (2) areas in the EEZ with restrictions on specified recreational vessel types, and (3) federally protected areas (e.g., National Marine Sanctuaries). NOAA must also continue to provide digitized navigation information related to the EEZ and make the information available on the website to the extent practicable. The bill allows NOAA to coordinate and partner with nonfederal entities to carry out this bill. It also directs NOAA to work with other federal agencies to ensure compatibility and interoperability among federal databases with respect to collecting and disseminating geospatial data related to the public outdoor recreational use of the EEZ.

Legislative Subjects

Geography and mappingGovernment information and archivesHunting and fishingInternet, web applications, social mediaNavigation, waterways, harborsOutdoor recreation

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: Senate
Status: summarized
Action: Public Law
Action Date: 2026-09-25
Date Added: 2026-07-24
Source: Congress.gov →

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