Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-116.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Passed House voice vote
- To President
- Became Law
No one's position on it was recorded: the Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote), and the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together).
What this bill would do
This bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to standardize and publish data related to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways. It directs the creation of a publicly accessible website providing geographic information system data on fishing restrictions, recreational vessel access, and navigation within the exclusive economic zone. The Secretary must update navigation data at least twice a year and update boundary and protected area data in real time. The legislation also establishes public comment processes to allow citizens to ask questions and suggest improvements regarding the data. Additionally, the bill protects tribal waters, historic resources, and commercial fishing information from being publicly disclosed.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Directly increases transparency by requiring a public, interoperable website for federal waterway data.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Increases visibility and accessibility of data regarding marine protected areas and harmful algal blooms.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
Improves the management and public transparency of federal waterway use and restrictions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 4(a): This provision requires the government to put map-based data on a public website showing where recreational boating, diving, and fishing are allowed or restricted. This gives everyday citizens clear information so they can easily figure out where they are allowed to recreate on the water without guessing.
-
Section 4(c) and Section 4(d): These sections require the website to organize data so it is easy to find and use, while also setting up a way for the public to submit questions, comments, and ideas for improvement. This keeps officials accountable to the people by ensuring regular citizens have a direct voice in making the online tools better.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 4(f): This section prohibits the Secretary from publicly disclosing certain information, such as the nature or location of cultural, historical, or archaeological resources, as well as commercial fishing data. While intended to protect sensitive sites and proprietary information, it might withhold specific historical or commercial details that some members of the public or researchers might want to access.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Directly increases transparency by requiring a public, interoperable website for federal waterway data. Does this give the federal government more power? — Mandates the Secretary of Commerce to establish new standards for geospatial data publication.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Increases visibility and accessibility of data regarding marine protected areas and harmful algal blooms. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Improves the management and public transparency of federal waterway use and restrictions.
- Public Law (9/26/2026)
The text as it became law
What changed from Enrolled Bill: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 9/25/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-116.
- 9/22/2026
- Presented to President.
- 9/14/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5559)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5559)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 759.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5559-5560)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 9/11/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 9/10/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6556; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6556)
- 7/16/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-40.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 117.
- 3/12/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2/26/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angus KingIndependent · Maine