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119th Congress

H.R. 4294

MAWS Act of 2026

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor
Sarah Elfreth(D-MD)
Introduced
Jul 7, 2025
Policy area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Committees
House Committee on Natural Resources; Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Official text
Referred in Senate · Congress.gov page

Cosponsors (10)

Original cosponsors (3)

Added later (7)

Summary

Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Reported to House” version

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.

Roll-call votes

DateVoteResultYour members
Mar 17, 2026
House #88		On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: MAWS ActPassedSet your home to see

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