Federal agencies must map waterway rules in one online hub within five years
Signed into lawH.R. 187Latest action
Sponsor: Blake D. Moore · Representative · UT
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Official title: MAPWaters Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 187 requires five federal agencies to publish unified, real-time waterway access and rules data online within five years.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 187 requires the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to collect, standardize, and publish waterway data in a single online location. Within five years, agencies must post maps covering boat ramp availability, motorized boat zones, speed restrictions, no-wake areas, seasonal closures, and fishing rules. Fishing restriction data must update in real time as changes occur, and agencies must provide a public feedback mechanism.
Who does it affect?
The law affects anyone who recreates on federally managed waters, including anglers, boaters, paddlers, and swimmers nationwide. The five named federal agencies are responsible for implementation and must report progress to Congress annually through 2034.
Why does it matter?
Waterway rules and access information are currently scattered across multiple agency websites and are not consistently current or easy to find. Consolidating that data into one standardized platform means users can look up current rules and access points before visiting a federal waterway.
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This is law.
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 3, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: the president signed it. It's law.Now law
Latest action: — Became Public Law No: 119-62.
Recorded votes
Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.
House · · Roll call 19
As recorded
- Question
- On Motion to and Pass, as Amended
- Result:
- Passed
- 413
- Nay
- 0
- 0
- 19
Republicans 211 yes, 6 not voting · Democrats 202 yes, 13 not voting
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record