HR 4294 119th Congress House Public Lands and Natural Resources Chesapeake Bay Congressional oversight Delaware District of Columbia Fishes Food industry and services Food supply, safety, and labeling Marine and coastal resources, fisheries Maryland New York State Pennsylvania Seafood Virginia Watersheds West Virginia Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

MAWS Act of 2026

Introduced: July 7, 2025 Introduced by: Elfreth, Sarah Democratic · Maryland See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 18 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Mar 18, 2026

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Mar 17, 2026

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Mar 17, 2026

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 320 - 66 (Roll no. 88).

Mar 17, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 320 - 66 (Roll no. 88).

Mar 17, 2026

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)

Mar 16, 2026

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

Mar 16, 2026

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294.

Mar 16, 2026

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517)

Mar 16, 2026

Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Feb 23, 2026

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.

Feb 23, 2026

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.

Jan 22, 2026

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

Jan 22, 2026

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jan 22, 2026

Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

Jul 22, 2025

Subcommittee Hearings Held

Jul 16, 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

Jul 7, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Jul 7, 2025

Introduced in House

Votes taken on this bill 1

Date	Chamber	What was voted on	Result	Yes–No
Mar 17, 2026	House · vote #88	On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended	Passed	320–66	See who voted →

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act of 2026 or the MAWS Act of 2026

This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a pilot program to facilitate the purchase of blue catfish caught within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. (Blue catfish are considered an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.)

Under the program, NOAA must enter into cooperative agreements with manufacturers or processors of pet food, animal feed, or aquaculture feed for the purchase of blue catfish from watermen and seafood processors. NOAA must determine the minimum price per pound after considering market factors; feedback from watermen, seafood processors, and participants in the program; and differentiation of price points for fillet and byproduct.

The bill also requires NOAA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with nonfederal partners to develop abundance estimates of blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. NOAA must make the first abundance estimate publicly available before beginning the pilot program.

What's happening now March 18, 2026

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committees of jurisdiction 3