H.R. 3340 · On the floor · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act

What it does

Directs NOAA to publish geospatial data on public recreational use of federal waterways, such as boating and fishing.
Requires NOAA to consult state, local, tribal, and Native Hawaiian stakeholders on standards for sharing data on fishing restrictions and recreational vessel use, including in the exclusive economic zone.
Requires, within four years, a public website with geographic information system data identifying where and under what conditions recreational activities are restricted.
Requires the site to show fishing restriction locations, exclusive economic zone areas with vessel type restrictions, and federally protected areas such as National Marine Sanctuaries.
Requires NOAA to keep providing digitized navigation information for the zone and allows partnerships with nonfederal entities.

Official 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…

Latest action

Feb 23, 2026: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 438.

Committee: House Natural Resources