MAWS Act of 2026
Introduced Jul 7, 2025 by Rep. Sarah Elfreth
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
- Mar 18, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Mar 17, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Mar 17, 2026On 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, 2026Passed/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, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)
- Mar 16, 2026At 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, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294.
- Mar 16, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517)
- Mar 16, 2026Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Feb 23, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.
- Feb 23, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
- Jan 22, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Jan 22, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jan 22, 2026Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Jul 22, 2025Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Jul 16, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Jul 7, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Jul 7, 2025Introduced in House