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.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-17 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2026-03-17 | Vote | 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). | House floor actions |
| 2026-03-17 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. | House floor actions |
| 2026-03-16 | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2026-03-16 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294. | House floor actions |
| 2026-03-16 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517) | House floor actions |
| 2026-03-16 | Floor | Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. | House floor actions |
| 2026-02-23 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436. | House floor actions |
| 2026-02-23 | Committee | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510. | House floor actions |
| 2026-01-22 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent. | House committee actions |
| 2026-01-22 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held | House committee actions |
| 2026-01-22 | Committee | Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged | House committee actions |
| 2025-07-22 | Committee | Subcommittee Hearings Held | House committee actions |
| 2025-07-16 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. | House committee actions |
| 2025-07-07 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. | House floor actions |
| 2025-07-07 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |