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The House voted 413-0 to pass the MAPWaters Act of 2025, which requires federal agencies to create standardized, public online maps for boating, fishing, and other recreation on federal waterways.
This bill, the MAPWaters Act of 2025, aims to modernize how the federal government shares information about public lands and waters. Currently, rules for boating, fishing, and swimming are often buried in different agency websites or documents. The bill requires the National Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management to work together to create common data standards and launch a single, map-based website within five years. This site will show everything from boat ramp locations and speed limits to specific fishing restrictions in real-time. This vote was held under a process called 'suspension of the rules.' In the House, this is a fast-track procedure reserved for bills with broad, bipartisan support. Because it bypasses certain hurdles, it requires a higher threshold to pass—two-thirds of the members present must vote 'yes' rather than a simple majority. The bill passed with unanimous support from all members who were present for the vote. Because the bill has now become law, federal agencies will begin a multi-year coordination effort to digitize their mapping data and make it available to the public. This is expected to improve safety and simplify trip planning for millions of outdoor enthusiasts.
As the bill has been signed into law, federal agencies must now begin developing the required data standards and preparing the public mapping tools for launch.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. Outdoor enthusiasts currently face a fragmented system where finding accurate maps and rules for federal waterways is difficult; this bill centralizes that data to improve public access and safety.
Who’s affected. Anglers and Boaters: Will have access to real-time digital maps showing where they can legally fish and launch boats. · Federal Land Agencies: Required to modernize data systems and coordinate across different departments like Interior and Agriculture. · Rural Tourism Businesses: Likely to see more predictable visitor traffic as recreational information becomes easier for the public to find.
Democrats. Every voting Democrat supported the measure.
Republicans. Every voting Republican supported the measure.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Jan 21, 2025
The House voted 413-0 to pass the MAPWaters Act of 2025, which requires federal agencies to create standardized, public online maps for boating, fishing, and other recreation on federal waterways.
This was a 'suspension of the rules' vote, a common House procedure used to quickly pass non-controversial legislation. It requires a two-thirds majority to succeed and does not allow for amendments during the floor debate.
As the bill has been signed into law, federal agencies must now begin developing the required data standards and preparing the public mapping tools for launch.
Outdoor enthusiasts currently face a fragmented system where finding accurate maps and rules for federal waterways is difficult; this bill centralizes that data to improve public access and safety.
The vote was entirely bipartisan and unanimous among those who cast a vote, reflecting a shared priority for outdoor recreation and government transparency.
Every voting Democrat supported the measure.
Every voting Republican supported the measure.
The sole independent member present voted in favor of the bill.