Federal · 119th Congress · House bill
H.R. 187: Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025
Became law Public Law 119-62 Official data
- Introduced
- Reported by committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Sent to President
- Became law
Last official action: · Record last updated:
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress for the version “Public Law”, December 26, 2025. Reproduced verbatim.
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.
Official title
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.
Recorded votes
Roll calls on passage or final agreement. Washington’s members are shown first; every member’s vote is on the roll-call page.
House Roll Call 19: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
· Passed · Yes 413, No 0, Not voting 19
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)
Washington: Rep. Suzan K. DelBene (WA-1) (D): Yes · Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-2) (D): Yes · Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3) (D): Yes · Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-4) (R): Not voting · Rep. Michael Baumgartner (WA-5) (R): Yes · Rep. Emily Randall (WA-6) (D): Yes · Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) (D): Not voting · Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-8) (D): Yes · Rep. Adam Smith (WA-9) (D): Yes · Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) (D): Yes
Official actions
- Became Public Law No: 119-62.
- Signed by President.
- Presented to President.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in House: 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)
- Introduced in House