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H.R. 4294Passed House

MAWS Act of 2026

Introduced: Jul 7, 2025

Latest action date: Mar 18, 2026

Latest development

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

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Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jul 7, 2025
Recorded roll calls
1

Status detail: The full action history records passage in the House.

Plain-language overview

What this bill does

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. 

Official summary from Congress.gov.

Civixly topics

What this legislation is about

Civixly topics make federal and state legislation comparable. They are derived from the official CRS policy area and legislative subjects.

Official CRS policy area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

View 16 official legislative subjects
Chesapeake BayCongressional oversightDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFishesFood industry and servicesFood supply, safety, and labelingMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarylandNew York StatePennsylvaniaSeafoodVirginiaWatershedsWest VirginiaWildlife conservation and habitat protection

Committee activity

Committees and subcommittees that received, reviewed, marked up, or reported this legislation.

houseStanding

Natural Resources Committee

Official committee record ↗
  1. Referred To
  2. Discharged from
  3. Markup By
  4. Reported By
houseSubcommittee

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

Official committee record ↗
  1. Referred to
  2. Hearings By (subcommittee)

Amendments

Proposed changes to this measure, with their latest official outcome or action from Congress.gov.

No amendments are listed for this measure.

Checked against Congress.gov Oct 9, 2026.

Action timeline

Newest action first. Action language comes from the official Congress.gov record.

View full action timeline20 actions
  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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

    FloorHouse floor actions
  3. 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).

    FloorLibrary of Congress
  4. 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).

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

    FloorHouse floor actions
  6. 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.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  7. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  8. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517)

    FloorHouse floor actions
  9. Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  10. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.

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

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

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

    CommitteeHouse committee actions
  14. Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

    CommitteeHouse committee actions
  15. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

    CommitteeHouse committee actions
  16. Subcommittee Hearings Held

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

    CommitteeHouse committee actions
  18. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    IntroReferralHouse floor actions
  19. Introduced in House

    IntroReferralLibrary of Congress
  20. Introduced in House

    IntroReferralLibrary of Congress

Roll-call votes

Recorded House and Senate votes connected to this bill. Your representatives appear first when available.

PassedMar 17, 2026House · Roll call 88

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

66 Nay320 Yea45 Not Voting
View 431 recorded positions
Andrew OglesNot Voting
Andy BarrNot Voting
Brian J. MastNot Voting
Chip RoyNot Voting
Dale W. StrongNot Voting
Dan CrenshawNot Voting
Danny K. DavisNot Voting
David ScottYea
Eric SwalwellNot Voting
Harold RogersNot Voting
Henry CuellarNot Voting
J. Luis CorreaNot Voting
Joe WilsonNot Voting
John CornynNot Voting
John W. RoseNot Voting
Josh BrecheenNot Voting
Nancy MaceNot Voting
Nancy PelosiNot Voting
Pat HarriganNot Voting
Paul A. GosarNot Voting
Ralph NormanNot Voting
Rick LarsenNot Voting
Robert GarciaNot Voting
Robin L. KellyNot Voting
Sharice DavidsNot Voting
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickYea
Tony GonzalesYea
Tony WiedNot Voting
Troy E. NehlsNot Voting

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Sources: Congress.gov and official House and Senate vote records.

View data freshness details

Base metadata check pending · Civixly summary check pending · Action timeline checked Oct 9, 2026 · Complete sponsorship check pending · Topics checked Oct 9, 2026 · Committees checked Oct 9, 2026 · Status checked Oct 9, 2026 · Related bills checked Oct 9, 2026.