H.R. 187 Became law · Public Law 119-62 Public Lands and Natural Resources

Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025

To provide for the standardization, consolidation, and publication of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies, and for other purposes.

Introduced
Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law

Sponsor Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1] Introduced January 3, 2025 Cosponsors 3 (2 D, 1 R) Latest action December 26, 2025

Summary

Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act or the MAPWaters Act of 2025 or the MAPWaters Act of 2025
This act directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data relating to the public's access to federal waterways for recreational use.
(Sec. 3) The Forest Service and Interior must jointly develop and adopt interagency standards for data collection and dissemination of geospatial data relating to public outdoor recreational access of federal waterways and federal fishing restrictions. The standards must ensure compatibility and interoperability among applicable federal databases with respect to collection and dissemination of such data.
(Sec. 4) Within five years, the Forest Service and Interior must also digitize and make publicly available online certain geographic information system data about (1) federal waterway restrictions, (2) federal waterway access and navigation information, and (3) federal fishing restrictions. They must also update the data about waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation information at least twice per year. Data about fishing restrictions must be updated in real time as changes go into effect.
The Forest Service and Interior must also develop a process to allow members of the public to submit questions or comments regarding the data regarding waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation information.
The requirements under this section do not apply to irrigation canals and flowage easements.
(Sec. 5) To carry out the act, the Forest Service and Interior may (1) coordinate and partner with nonfederal agencies, private entities, and nonprofit partners; and (2) enter into agreements with third parties.
The Forest Service and Interior may work with the U.S. Geological Survey to collect, aggregate, digitize, standardize, and publish data on their behalf.
(Sec. 6) The Forest Service and Interior must annually report to specified congressional committees on their progress in meeting the requirements of this act.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

HouseJan 21, 2025·Roll 19·H.R. 187
MAPWaters Act
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Passed413–0
R 211–0 D 202–0

Actions

Dec 26, 2025 Became Public Law No: 119-62.
Dec 26, 2025 Signed by President.
Dec 18, 2025 Presented to President.
Dec 17, 2025 Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 16, 2025 Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8766-8768)
Dec 16, 2025 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
Dec 16, 2025 Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Jan 22, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Jan 21, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 21, 2025 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 19). (text: CR H238-239)
Jan 21, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H250-251)
Jan 21, 2025 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Jan 21, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 187.
Jan 21, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H238-240)
Jan 21, 2025 Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jan 3, 2025 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 3, 2025 Introduced in House

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