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House bill · H.R. 4294 (119th Congress)

MAWS Act of 2026

U.S. House of Representatives

Latest action Mar 18, 2026

Sponsor: Sarah Elfreth (U.S. Representative, MD-3, Democratic)

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From Congress.gov and official rosters. This record was last updated Aug 3, 2026. About our data

Summary

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.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

House Committee on Natural Resources · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

10

Cosponsors listed on Congress.gov, shown A to Z.

  • Democratic6
  • Republican4

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

    U.S. HouseMar 17, 2026Result: Passed

    (320) (66) (0) (45)

Full history

  1. Mar 18, 2026

    Sent to the executive

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

    U.S. Senate

  2. Mar 18, 2026

    In committee

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

    U.S. House

  3. Mar 17, 2026

    Considered as Unfinished business. (consideration: cr H2545)

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)

  4. Mar 17, 2026

    Considered as Unfinished business. (consideration: cr H2545)

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)

  5. Mar 17, 2026

    Considered as Unfinished business. (consideration: cr H2545)

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)

Show full history (32 earlier events)
  1. Mar 17, 2026

    Passed a chamber

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

  2. Mar 17, 2026

    Passed a chamber

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

  3. Mar 17, 2026

    Passed a chamber

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

  4. Mar 17, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    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).

    U.S. House of Representatives

  5. Mar 16, 2026

    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.

    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.

  6. Mar 16, 2026

    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.

    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.

  7. Mar 16, 2026

    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.

    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.

  8. Mar 16, 2026

    Debate - the House Proceeded With Forty Minutes of Debate on H.R. 4294.

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

    U.S. House of Representatives

  9. Feb 23, 2026

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.

  10. Feb 23, 2026

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.

  11. Feb 23, 2026

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.

  12. Feb 23, 2026

    Reported out of committee

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

  13. Feb 23, 2026

    Reported out of committee

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

  14. Feb 23, 2026

    Reported out of committee

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

  15. Jan 22, 2026

    Committee vote

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  16. Jan 22, 2026

    Committee vote

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  17. Jan 22, 2026

    Committee vote

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  18. Jan 22, 2026

    Reported out of committee

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

  19. Jan 22, 2026

    Reported out of committee

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

  20. Jan 22, 2026

    Reported out of committee

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

  21. Jan 22, 2026

    In committee

    Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

  22. Jan 22, 2026

    In committee

    Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

  23. Jan 22, 2026

    In committee

    Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

  24. Jul 22, 2025

    Hearing held

    Subcommittee Hearings Held

  25. Jul 22, 2025

    Hearing held

    Subcommittee Hearings Held

  26. Jul 22, 2025

    Hearing held

    Subcommittee Hearings Held

  27. Jul 16, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

  28. Jul 16, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

  29. Jul 16, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

  30. Jul 7, 2025

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    U.S. House of Representatives

  31. Jul 7, 2025

    Introduced

    Introduced in U.S. House

    U.S. House

  32. Jul 7, 2025

    Referred to committee

    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    U.S. House of Representatives

Read the record