HOUSE 4294119th CongressReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

MAWS Act of 2026

Last Action: 3/18/2026

Actions

2026-03-18Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2026-03-17Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-03-17On 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).
2026-03-17Passed/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).
2026-03-17Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)
2026-03-16At 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.
2026-03-16DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294.
2026-03-16Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517)
2026-03-16Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2026-02-23Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.
2026-02-23Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
2026-02-23Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
2026-01-22Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
2026-01-22Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2026-01-22Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

Showing 15 of 20 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.

CRS Summary

As of 2026-02-23 (07)

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.

Cosponsors (10)

Robert Wittman (R-VA)
Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA)
Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Glenn Ivey (D-MD)
April McClain Delaney (D-MD)
Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)
Kweisi Mfume (D-MD)
Robert Scott (D-VA)
Celeste Maloy (R-UT)
Paul Gosar (R-AZ)

Subjects

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

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