H.R. 4294

119th Congress

In Committee

MAWS Act of 2026

Sponsored byDemocrat:Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]MD· Introduced 7 July 2025
Open on Congress.gov

10

Cosponsors

20

Actions

0

Amendments

2

Committees

—

Since introduced

Introduced
Committee
Passed Chamber
Passed Both
Enacted
Step 1 of 0
Latest action

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

18 March 2026·4 months ago

Summary

Reported to House · Updated 16 March 2026

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. 

Timeline

20 actions

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

    18 March 2026 · IntroReferral

  2. 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).

    17 March 2026 · Floor

  3. 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).

    17 March 2026 · Floor

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

    17 March 2026 · Floor

  5. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)

    17 March 2026 · Floor

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

    16 March 2026 · Floor

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

    16 March 2026 · Floor

  8. 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.

    16 March 2026 · Floor

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

    16 March 2026 · Floor

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

    23 February 2026 · Committee

  11. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.

    23 February 2026 · Calendars

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

    23 February 2026 · Committee

  13. Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

    22 January 2026 · Committee

  14. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

    22 January 2026 · Committee

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

    22 January 2026 · Committee

  16. Subcommittee Hearings Held

    22 July 2025 · Committee

  17. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

    16 July 2025 · Committee

  18. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    7 July 2025 · IntroReferral

  19. Introduced in House

    7 July 2025 · IntroReferral

  20. Introduced in House

    7 July 2025 · IntroReferral

Sponsorship

10 cosponsors

Sponsor

Democrat:Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]MD

Cosponsors

  • Democrat660%
  • Republican440%

Classification

Policy area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Legislative subjects

Chesapeake BayCongressional oversightDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFishesFood industry and servicesFood supply, safety, and labelingMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarylandNew York StatePennsylvaniaSeafood

Committees

2

  • Natural Resources Committee

    House · Standing

    • Referred To7 Jul 2025
    • Discharged from22 Jan 2026
    • Markup By22 Jan 2026
    • Reported By23 Feb 2026

    • Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

      • Referred to16 Jul 2025
      • Hearings By (subcommittee)22 Jul 2025

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

    Senate · Standing

    • Referred To18 Mar 2026

Reports

Cosponsor momentum

Cumulative over time

Cosponsors grew from 3 on 7 July 2025 to 10 on 16 January 2026.

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