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Senate bill · S. 759 (119th Congress)

Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act

U.S. Senate

Latest action Sep 25, 2026

Sponsor: Ted Cruz (U.S. Senator for Texas, Republican)

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From Congress.gov and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data

Summary

Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to publish geospatial data related to public recreational use of federal waterways (e.g., boating and fishing). Under the bill, 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 bill 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 bill allows NOAA to coordinate and partner with nonfederal entities to carry out this bill. 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.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Signed into law.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation · U.S. Senate

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Cosponsors

1

Cosponsors listed on Congress.gov, shown A to Z.

  • Other1

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Recorded votes

No recorded roll-call vote. Bills passed by voice vote or unanimous consent leave no member-level record.

Related bills

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

  1. Sep 25, 2026

    Enacted

    Became Public Law No: 119-116.

  2. Sep 25, 2026

    Signed

    Signed by President.

    President

  3. Sep 22, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    Presented to President.

    President

  4. Sep 14, 2026

    Considered Under Suspension of the rules. (consideration: cr H5559-5560)

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5559-5560)

  5. Sep 14, 2026

    Considered Under Suspension of the rules. (consideration: cr H5559-5560)

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5559-5560)

Show full history (22 earlier events)
  1. Sep 14, 2026

    Debate - the House Proceeded With Forty Minutes of Debate on S. 759.

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 759.

    U.S. House of Representatives

  2. Sep 14, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Sep 14, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Sep 14, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5559)

    U.S. House of Representatives

  5. Sep 11, 2025

    Held at the desk.

  6. Sep 11, 2025

    Held at the desk.

  7. Sep 11, 2025

    Held at the desk.

  8. Sep 11, 2025

    Introduced

    Held at the desk.

    U.S. Senate

  9. Sep 11, 2025

    Message on Senate Action Sent to the House.

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    U.S. Senate

  10. Sep 11, 2025

    Sent to the executive

    Received in the House.

    U.S. House of Representatives

  11. Sep 10, 2025

    Passed a chamber

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6556; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6556)

    U.S. Senate

  12. Jul 16, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    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.

  13. Jul 16, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    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.

  14. Jul 16, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    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.

  15. Jul 16, 2025

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar Under General Orders. Calendar No. 117.

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 117.

    U.S. Senate

  16. Mar 12, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  17. Mar 12, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  18. Mar 12, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  19. Feb 26, 2025

    Introduced

    Introduced in U.S. Senate

    U.S. Senate

  20. Feb 26, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

  21. Feb 26, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

  22. Feb 26, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Read the record