S. 759 · Where this bill is now
Became law
Public Law 119-116, Sep 25, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires NOAA to publish online maps of recreation limits in federal waters
This law directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work with stakeholders, including state and local governments, Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, to set standards for sharing map data on fishing restrictions and recreational boat use of federal waterways, including the exclusive economic zone. Within four years, NOAA must post map data on a public website showing where and under what conditions certain recreational activities are restricted in federal waterways. The site must show where fishing restrictions apply, areas in the exclusive economic zone with limits on certain recreational boat types, and federally protected areas such as National Marine Sanctuaries. NOAA must also keep providing digital navigation information for the zone, putting it on the website to the extent practicable, and may partner with nonfederal groups.
How it affects you
Now that it's law, people who fish or boat in federal waters will be able to look up on a NOAA website, within four years, where fishing and certain boat types are restricted and where federally protected areas are. It mainly changes how NOAA shares this information; it doesn't change anything you have to do.
Read the official summary (Public Law, Sep 25, 2026)
Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
This act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to standardize and publish geospatial data related to public recreational use of federal waterways (e.g., boating and fishing).
Under the act, 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 act 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 act allows NOAA to coordinate and partner with nonfederal entities to carry out this act. 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.
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 SessionS. 759
AN ACT
Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans ActModernizing Access
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) · Introduced Feb 26, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 25, 2026: “Became Public Law No: 119-116.”
Sections
Opens on the most recent version where something changedHow did S. 759 change?
The text of S. 759 did not change between the Passed the Senate and Final version sent to the President versions.