“I want to skip the normal rules. I want a quick vote. I want to pass this bill. The bill is about making public waterways data accessible. That's the bill. That's all I have to say.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes public data about boating, fishing, and recreation on federal waters easier to find.”
“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 759) to provide for the standardization, publication, and accessibility of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 759) to provide for the standardization, publication, and accessibility of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:
“I want to talk about this bill. I like this bill. It's about making data accessible for people who use the ocean. It will help them be safer and have more fun. Senator Cruz sponsored it in the Senate. Representative Fry did a companion bill in the House. I want this bill to pass. I'm done talking for now.”
“I support this bill. It requires the government to put ocean data online in an easy format. Boaters and fishers need to see water closures, speed limits, and fishing rules so they can stay safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 759, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act, sponsored by Senator Cruz from Texas. This legislation would require NOAA to make certain data easily accessible to the multiple users of our ocean resources. Recreational and commercial industries operating on America's waterways need large amounts of data, including waterway closures, speed limits, and fishing restrictions. Senator Cruz' legislation directs NOAA to work with stakeholders and the public to determine what data to include, then publish it online in a user-friendly format. I thank Representative Fry of South Carolina, the sponsor of companion legislation in the House of Representatives, for his leadership on this initiative that will enhance safety and improve the recreational experience for ocean users. I reserve the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 759, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act, sponsored by Senator Cruz from Texas. This legislation would require NOAA to make certain data easily accessible to the multiple users of our ocean resources. Recreational and commercial industries operating on America's waterways need large amounts of data, including waterway closures, speed limits, and fishing restrictions. Senator Cruz' legislation directs NOAA to work with stakeholders and the public to determine what data to include, then publish it online in a user-friendly format. I thank Representative Fry of South Carolina, the sponsor of companion legislation in the House of Representatives, for his leadership on this initiative that will enhance safety and improve the recreational experience for ocean users. I reserve the balance of my time.
“I want this bill to pass. This bill will help people who use the ocean. They need to know about rules and areas they can use. They need to know about fishing restrictions. They need to know where they can take their boats. They need to know about navigation. This information is important. Right now this information is scattered. That can be bad. It can put boaters at risk. It can put the environment at risk. This bill will make the information easier to get. This bill will make the information easier to understand. This bill will help the economy. This bill will help protect the environment. I think my colleagues should support this bill.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It directs the government to put ocean maps and boating rules in one place online. Right now, this information is spread across too many sites. Putting it together will help boaters and fishers follow the rules, stay safe, and protect the ocean.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 759 would improve access to critical information for ocean users, including recreational boaters and fishers. This bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish standards for NOAA for mapping recreational use of our oceans. This information would include fishing restrictions, vessel access, and navigation information. Area restrictions, such as within the national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments, would be clearly marked on these maps. The United States' exclusive economic zone covers about 3.4 million square nautical miles and supports 4.5 million recreational fishing vessels. About 11 million registered boats contribute roughly $170 billion annually to the economy. Currently, access to geospatial data for recreational use is across multiple databases. This lack of centralized data can make it difficult for millions of recreational boaters to understand the latest regulations and puts both boaters and coastal environments at risk. S. 759 would improve access, transparency, and usability of critical information. By making regulations easier to understand and follow, this bill will help create safer, more enjoyable experiences on the water. This will strengthen coastal economies and improve environmental protection efforts. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 759 would improve access to critical information for ocean users, including recreational boaters and fishers. This bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish standards for NOAA for mapping recreational use of our oceans. This information would include fishing restrictions, vessel access, and navigation information. Area restrictions, such as within the national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments, would be clearly marked on these maps. The United States' exclusive economic zone covers about 3.4 million square nautical miles and supports 4.5 million recreational fishing vessels. About 11 million registered boats contribute roughly $170 billion annually to the economy. Currently, access to geospatial data for recreational use is across multiple databases. This lack of centralized data can make it difficult for millions of recreational boaters to understand the latest regulations and puts both boaters and coastal environments at risk. S. 759 would improve access, transparency, and usability of critical information. By making regulations easier to understand and follow, this bill will help create safer, more enjoyable experiences on the water. This will strengthen coastal economies and improve environmental protection efforts. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
“I want this bill to pass. It is a good bill. It makes sense. It will make oceans safer. It will make oceans easier to use. I thank some people for working on it. I want my colleagues to vote for it.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes our oceans safer and easier for people to use.”
“Mr. Speaker, this bill is a commonsense step that improves public safety and access to our oceans. I thank Senator Cruz and Representative Fry for their diligent work and attention on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Patronis). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 759. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, this bill is a commonsense step that improves public safety and access to our oceans. I thank Senator Cruz and Representative Fry for their diligent work and attention on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Patronis). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 759. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
