H.R. 4294 Passed the House Public Lands and Natural Resources

Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act of 2026

To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a pilot program with respect to the sale of blue catfish caught within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3] Introduced July 7, 2025 Cosponsors 10 (6 D, 4 R) Latest action March 18, 2026

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 by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

  • HouseMar 17, 2026·Roll 88·H.R. 4294
    MAWS Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
    Passed320–66
    R 128–65 D 192–1

Actions

  1. Mar 18, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Mar 17, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Mar 17, 2026 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).
  4. Mar 17, 2026 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)
  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.
  6. Mar 16, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294.
  7. Mar 16, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517)
  8. Mar 16, 2026 Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  9. Feb 23, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.
  10. Feb 23, 2026 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
  11. Jan 22, 2026 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
  12. Jan 22, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

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