MAWS Act of 2026

Sponsored byRep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]MD· Introduced 7 juillet 2025

Open on Congress.gov

Cosponsors

Actions

Amendments

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 mars 2026·4 months ago

Summary

Reported to House · Updated 16 mars 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

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
18 mars 2026 · IntroReferral
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 mars 2026 · Floor
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 mars 2026 · Floor
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
17 mars 2026 · Floor
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)
17 mars 2026 · Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294.
16 mars 2026 · Floor
Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
16 mars 2026 · Floor
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 mars 2026 · Floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517)
16 mars 2026 · Floor
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
23 février 2026 · Committee
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.
23 février 2026 · Calendars
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
23 février 2026 · Committee
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
22 janvier 2026 · Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
22 janvier 2026 · Committee
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
22 janvier 2026 · Committee
Subcommittee Hearings Held
22 juillet 2025 · Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
16 juillet 2025 · Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
7 juillet 2025 · IntroReferral
Introduced in House
7 juillet 2025 · IntroReferral
Introduced in House
7 juillet 2025 · IntroReferral

Sponsorship

10 cosponsors

Sponsor

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

Cosponsors

Democrat660%
Republican440%

Republican:Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]AZ
Republican:Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2]UT
Democrat:Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]VA
Democrat:Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]MD
Democrat:Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]MD
Democrat:Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]MD
Democrat:Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]MD
Democrat:Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5]MD
Republican:Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]VA
Republican:Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]VA

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

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

H. Rept. 119-510

Cosponsor momentum

Cumulative over time

Track MAWS Act of 2026 as it moves through Congress