H.R. 187 · Where this bill is now
Became law
Public Law 119-62, Dec 26, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMakes federal waterway access data easier to find
Ever tried to find out where you can actually fish or boat on public federal lands? This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to put all that information in one standardized, publicly searchable online place. They'd collect data about where you can access waterways, where fishing is allowed, and what restrictions apply, then keep it current—updating restrictions at least twice a year and fishing rules in real time as they change.
How it affects you
If you fish, kayak, boat, or enjoy other water recreation on federal public lands, this makes it simpler to know exactly where you're allowed to go and what rules apply. Right now, that information is scattered across different databases with no standard format, so you have to hunt through multiple websites. This bill doesn't change the rules themselves, but it makes finding the current rules a lot easier.
Read the official summary (Public Law, Dec 26, 2025)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 187
AN ACT
MAPWaters Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Blake D. Moore (R-UT-1) · Introduced Jan 3, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 26, 2025: “Became Public Law No: 119-62.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Jan 21, 2025
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 413–0
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 202 | 0 | 13 |
| Republicans | 211 | 0 | 6 |
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 4 official versions.