Sponsors (2)
The bill centralizes and standardizes federal mapping, data, and agency roles to improve safety, planning, and transparency for waterways and recreation, but does so at a cost of added implementation burdens, privacy risks, and the potential for broader federal restrictions that could limit local flexibility and public access.
State, Tribal, and local resource agencies and the public get clearer statutory definitions of federal roles and authorities over fishing and waterways, reducing legal uncertainty and helping coordinate management across agencies.
Boaters, anglers, emergency responders, and state/local planners gain standardized, interoperable geospatial data and up-to-date maps (closures, access points, hazards, rules), improving trip planning, safety, enforcement, and land/water management.
The public and oversight bodies get more transparency and formal opportunities for input through published GIS layers, public comment processes, and regular Congressional reporting, increasing accountability for how restrictions and data are applied.
Recreational and commercial fishers and other water users may face clearer legal bases for expanded federal restrictions on fishing and water access, which could limit where and how people fish or recreate.
Federal, state, and local agencies (and therefore taxpayers) could incur significant implementation, IT integration, contracting, and ongoing maintenance costs — including costs to prepare required reports — which may divert resources from other programs.
Publishing standardized, detailed geospatial layers and sharing data with private partners risks disclosing sensitive locations (archaeological sites, tribal locations, security-sensitive infrastructure) or creating data‑security/privacy exposures if safeguards are not robust.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Requires federal agencies to standardize, digitize, and publish GIS data on public waterways, access points, navigation rules, and fishing restrictions with set timelines and reporting.
Introduced July 31, 2025 by John A. Barrasso · Last progress July 31, 2025
Requires federal land and water agencies to create common data standards, digitize, and publish GIS maps and data about public waterways, access points, navigation rules, and fishing restrictions. Sets deadlines for standards (30 months) and full data publication (5 years), requires regular updates and public comment, allows agency cooperation with the USGS and non‑federal partners, and mandates annual progress reports through 2034.