General Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the "Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act," seeks to enhance the way data is standardized, published, and made accessible regarding public outdoor recreational use of federal waterways. The bill requires the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with stakeholders, to create standards for collecting and disseminating geospatial data. This includes making such information available through a publicly accessible website, indicating areas of federal waterways that are subject to specific restrictions or conditions. Furthermore, the act emphasizes cooperation and coordination with various partners, including non-Federal entities and experts, to ensure efficient execution.

Summary of Significant Issues

Several notable issues emerge from the proposed legislation:

1. Ambiguity in Terms and Implementation: The bill frequently uses ambiguous phrases such as "to the maximum extent practicable," potentially leading to subjective enforcement standards and compliance challenges.

2. Timeline Concerns: The 30-month timeline for developing and adopting data standards may be perceived as lengthy, which could delay the benefits and improvements intended by the bill.

3. Oversight and Accountability: There is a notable absence of oversight or review mechanisms to ensure the data's accuracy and integrity on public platforms. Furthermore, no clear accountability measures are detailed concerning agreements with third-party providers.

4. Financial Uncertainty: The bill lacks a thorough examination of the potential financial impact, which might result in budgetary strain due to unclear resource allocation for website development, data updates, and technological requirements for real-time data integration.

5. Stakeholder Involvement and Representation: The bill does not outline specific criteria for the inclusion of stakeholders, which might lead to unequal representation or favoritism in the decision-making process.

Impact on the Public

Broadly speaking, the public would benefit from the increased accessibility and transparency of data regarding the use of federal waterways. By providing easily accessible navigation, fishing, and waterway restriction data online, recreational users can better plan activities and comply with regulations. However, the ambiguity in enforcement could lead to inconsistency in data availability and reliability, potentially reducing user trust.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

• Government Agencies: Federal, state, and tribal agencies could face challenges in the coordination and integration of data standards, especially given the requirement for real-time updates.

• Data and Technology Experts: These stakeholders might find opportunities in partnerships and consultations during the implementation phase. Nonetheless, lack of specificity in selection criteria could lead to unbalanced representations.

• Public and Recreational Users: The public stands to gain from improved access to waterway data, enhancing recreational experiences and compliance with existing regulations. However, the effectiveness of these benefits relies heavily on the timely and accurate implementation of the proposed data systems.

• Non-Federal Entities: Groups such as non-profit organizations and private tech firms may be seen as valuable collaborators, yet issues around transparency and fairness in partnerships could arise if selection criteria are not clearly defined.

To conclude, while the bill aims to modernize the access to and management of federal waterway data, the lack of specific details and accountability could undermine its objectives, impacting both the public and stakeholders in varying ways. Addressing these issues in revisions could significantly enhance the bill's efficacy and acceptance.