Passed Senate·Last action 239 days ago

Missing persons database would track federal land and coastal water cases

Officially: TRACE Act

Missing persons cases would get a new marker when the person was last seen on certain federal land or in U.S. territorial waters. The government would also send Congress a yearly count of those cases. The bill does not add new search or investigation powers.

Where it stands

Passed House. Now before the Senate.

This is the moment to act.

What this bill actually does

NamUs, the national missing persons database, would have to add a new location marker. It would show when a person was last known to be on certain federal land or in U.S. territorial waters, whether that location is confirmed or only suspected.
Cases would need more exact place details. The database would list the specific federal land unit or water area where the person was last known to be.
The bill spells out which federal lands count. It includes land managed by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, leaves out Indian trust land, and includes certain Army Corps of Engineers land and water projects.

↓ Why your message matters here

This bill passed the House and is now before the Senate — this is the moment to act.

Where your representatives stand

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The debate

What people are saying about this bill

✓Arguments in support

Improves Investigation Efficiency: By clearly marking cases that occur on federal lands or waters, the bill helps law enforcement agencies coordinate more effectively.
Enhances Public Awareness: Annual reports can highlight patterns and hotspots, informing the public and potentially preventing future incidents.
Facilitates Resource Allocation: Congress can use the data from these reports to allocate resources more effectively to areas with high numbers of missing persons cases.

✕Arguments against

No Significant Opposition Noted: The bill passed the Senate unanimously, indicating broad support and minimal controversy.
Potential Concerns: While not explicitly stated, some may worry about the effectiveness of data collection or privacy issues, though these concerns have not been prominently voiced.

Where this bill is in the process

Legislative timeline

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Introduced

Introduced in Senate

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Senate Committee

Under Senate committee consideration

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Senate Floor Vote

Voted on by Senate

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Passed Senate

Approved by Senate

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House Review

Sent to House for consideration

Latest: Message on Senate action sent to the House. (9/4/2025)

SEP 4

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Passed Both Chambers

Approved by both House and Senate

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Signed into Law

Signed by the President

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Missing persons database would track federal land and coastal water cases

Where your representatives stand

What people are saying about this bill

Legislative timeline

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