Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has introduced a bipartisan bill to modernize state and local roadmaps through digitization.
What the Bill Does
Specifically, Sen. Kelly's Modernizing Access to Public Roads (MAP Roads) Act establishes a competitive grant program within the Department of Transportation so counties can digitize outdated paper maps and records into standardized geospatial data.
This allows states to maintain publicly available road repositories that are regularly updated with GPS and mapping systems, ensuring your phone isn't telling you to take a road that may no longer exist the next time you drive.
The grant program authorizes $20 million a year through 2031 for the effort, and participating states report on implementation and progress.
What Lawmakers are Saying
"Arizona has millions of acres of public land, but outdated paper maps make it harder and less safe to navigate them," said Sen. Kelly in his press release, adding, "Arizonans rely on accurate road data every day, whether they're traveling, running a business, or accessing essential services. Visitors also depend on it to safely explore our incredible public lands. This bipartisan bill brings these records into the 21st century, improving safety, access, and navigation for everyone."
Senator John Curtis (R-UT), the bill's cosponsor, said, "Too many county road maps still exist only on paper or in outdated systems. That creates unnecessary challenges for first responders, businesses, and families who rely on accurate navigation every day. The MAP Roads Act modernizes local infrastructure, giving rural Utahns and recreationists the tools they need to improve public safety and support economic growth."
A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), and Susie Lee (D-NV).
A Dynamic Duo?
The MAP Roads Act marks the fifth time Kelly and Curtis have teamed up to introduce legislation since November, when they introduced the Algorithm Accountability Act to impose a duty of care on social media companies to take greater care in designing, testing, and training their algorithms.
In June, they brought forth the Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act and in July, they introduced three more: the Educators for America Act and Building Community in America Act as a package deal, and the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act later in the month.
