Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize Access to Public Roads

Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize Access to Public Roads

WASHINGTON - Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), and Susie Lee (D-NV) introduced legislation to help increase accessibility to map and road records. The Modernizing Access to Public (MAP) Roads Act establishes a 5-year pilot program through the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish map standardization, improve access, and resolve user challenges.

"In a time where the vast majority of us carry a digital map in our pocket, many areas around the country still rely on outdated physical maps that lack standardization and are often inaccessible. I'm excited to introduce the MAP Roads Act, which supports map digitization and continues our efforts to make public records more convenient and organized for the public," Rep. Moore said. "By making this data more digitally available, outdoor enthusiasts, emergency response personnel, freight and commerce operators, tourists, and many others will experience greater ease navigating open roads and accessing our public lands."

"Whether it's for wildfire response, freight delivery, or families simply getting to work, school, or worship, our rural roads are critical," Rep. Hoyle said. "Outdated and incomplete road maps make it harder to keep people safe and connected to their communities. This legislation helps solve that problem by giving states the tools they need to catalog, standardize, and modernize our rural road network for the 21st century while preserving local control. I'm proud to join Representatives Moore and Lee in this bipartisan effort to invest in the future of rural America."

"Colorado's rural communities depend on safe, reliable roads for everything from emergency response to tourism and commerce. Too many counties are still stuck with outdated, incomplete maps that make planning and access much harder than it should be," Rep. Hurd said. "The MAP Roads Act will modernize these records, improve public safety, and strengthen local economies, while keeping decision-making authority in the hands of counties and states. It also provides vital information to hunters, anglers, and other outdoor recreationists, giving them better access to the lands their tax dollars go towards and helping reduce unintentional trespassing. It's a privilege to co-lead this legislation to make sure our communities have the tools they need to use the roads around them."

"Nevadans deserve to safely travel in rural and remote areas. We cannot leave these areas behind," Rep. Susie Lee said. "Nevada is currently one of the most data-deficient states in the country when it comes to road mapping. This bill will make life easier for travelers and first responders on rural backroads and help folks more easily navigate our public lands."

"The lack of publicly accessible and accurate county road map information is a key barrier for hunters and anglers trying to access public lands," said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. "The bipartisan MAP Roads Act will provide funding to address these mapping shortfalls and improve public access, resulting in reduced confusion for hunters and anglers trying to navigate rural road systems across America."

"We appreciate Congressman Moore's introduction of the Modernizing Access to Public Roads Act", said Judy Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "This legislation affords the opportunity for states and local governments to utilize technology to improve road access data that will ultimately help improve public access for our hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationalists."

"Too often, outdoor recreationists are left guessing whether a rural road is public or private because county road records have not kept pace with modern navigation technology. This uncertainty can restrict recreational access to public places and can cause conflicts between private landowners and the public. The MAP Roads Act will accelerate the modernization of these records, giving people the confidence to know where they can travel to reach public land. Not only will it expand recreational access, but it also will streamline county operations, all while preserving local authority over road networks," said Laura Orvidas, CEO of onX.

"In an era where mobile apps and GPS are essential for navigating vast public lands to reach remote hunting grounds, accurate and up-to-date county road data is critical. The MAP Roads Act will reduce inadvertent trespass risks, enhance safety during hunts, and open safer, more reliable access to our nation's public hunting opportunities," said Kurt Dyroff, Co-CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

"Accurate and readily available maps are essential for ensuring access to our nation's public lands and waters. We thank Representative Blake Moore for his leadership on the MAP Roads Act which would make it easier to find reliable routes to rivers and streams by bringing outdated road maps into the digital age. This legislation would allow anglers to spend more time on the water and less time worrying about how to get there," said Kaden McArthur, Congressional Affairs Director of Trout Unlimited.

"The geospatial community stands ready to partner with state and local governments in implementing the MAP Roads Act. Our member firms have the expertise to digitize road inventories, develop standardized geospatial datasets, and ensure compatibility with mapping platforms that the public relies upon every day," said Renee Walmsley, President of MAPPS.

Background:

Many counties around the country currently rely on outdated or incomplete maps for official road records. These maps lack standardization, are often inaccessible, and create challenges for emergency response operations, freight and commerce, and outdoor recreation and tourism. Modern mapping technology will improve navigation, economic development, and public access while preserving local authority over roads.

The MAP Roads Act establishes a 5-year pilot program through the U.S. Department of Transportation to:

• Support county road digitization by converting paper or outdated formats into standardized digital data sets.
• Create statewide road data repositories that are publicly accessible, distinguish between public and private roads, and are compatible with third-party mapping platforms.
• Allow states to utilize funds for county subgrants, personnel training, or hiring contractors for data conversion.

Read the full bill here and on Congress.gov.

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