This part says what the law does not change. It does not change what navigable waters means. It does not change who makes rules for waters or for fish. It does not open or close any waters.
The document says “may not be construed”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“Nothing in this Act-- (1) modifies or alters the definition of the term ``navigable waters'' under Federal law; (2) affects the jurisdiction or authority of State or Federal agencies to regulate navigable waters;”
A savings clause. Nothing in the Act changes the definition of navigable waters under Federal law, and nothing in it affects the jurisdiction or authority of State or Federal agencies to regulate navigable waters.
What the document actually says
“Nothing in this Act-- (1) modifies or alters the definition of the term ``navigable waters'' under Federal law; (2) affects the jurisdiction or authority of State or Federal agencies to regulate navigable waters;”
That sentence, in plain words
This law does not change what navigable waters means. It does not change who makes rules for those waters.
What this is about
Navigable waters is a term set by other federal laws. This law asks for maps and data. It leaves the meaning where it stands.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “may not be construed”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“(3) modifies or alters the authority or jurisdiction of Federal or State agencies to manage fisheries; or (4) authorizes or is intended to result in a change in the accessibility of waters open to hunting, fishing, or other forms of outdoor recreation as of the date of the enactment of this Act.”
The second half of the savings clause. Nothing in the Act changes the authority or jurisdiction of Federal or State agencies to manage fisheries, and nothing in it authorizes or is intended to result in a change in how accessible waters open to hunting, fishing or other outdoor recreation were as of the date of enactment.
What the document actually says
“(3) modifies or alters the authority or jurisdiction of Federal or State agencies to manage fisheries; or (4) authorizes or is intended to result in a change in the accessibility of waters open to hunting, fishing, or other forms of outdoor recreation as of the date of the enactment of this Act.”
That sentence, in plain words
This law does not change who runs the fishing rules. It does not open or close any waters. Places open for hunting and fishing stay as they were.
What this is about
The day the law starts is the day that counts. This law is about data, not access. State and federal fish agencies keep their powers.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025, Public Law 119-62, sec. 7, 139 Stat. 1982 (2025). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ62/html/PLAW-119publ62.htm
This page
“Effect,” Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025, section 7. Read the Mandate, https://readthemandate.org/modernizing-access-our-public-waters-act-2025/section-7/ (retrieved August 26, 2026).
Cite the document when the claim is about what the document says. Cite this page when the indexing, the wording or the record of what has happened is what is being relied on.
What This Page Covers, and What It Leaves Out
All four of the section's savings clauses, recorded in two entries: the two about navigable waters, and the two about fisheries management and access to waters.
Nothing in the section is left out.
The section speaks of the term navigable waters under Federal law without defining it, and this site does not index the statutes or regulations in which that term appears.
