MAWS Act of 2026

Where it stands

1. Introduced Done · Jul 7, 2025
2. Committee Done · Jul 7, 2025
3. Passed House Done · Mar 17, 2026
4. Passed Senate Not yet
5. President Not yet
6. Law Not yet

From the official actions on Congress.gov.

Key points

What it changes

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

Who it affects

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

What it costs

No cost estimate yet.

Where it stands

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Mar 18, 2026)

What happens next

The Senate would need to pass it next.

Official 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 (Reported to House version), via Congress.gov. These are proposed provisions, not enacted law.

Recorded votes

1. HOUSEFinal passageMar 17, 2026 · roll call 88

   On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: Passed (320–66)

   This vote decided whether the bill passes this chamber.
   Votes by party

   How each party voted on roll call 88

   Party	Yes	No	Present	Did not vote	Share voting Yes
   Democratic	192	1	0	21
   Republican	128	65	0	24
   Independent	0	0	0	0

   Party totals from the official roll call.

   Map: how each state voted

   All voted YesSplitAll voted NoNo Yes or No votes

   Each state is shaded by the share of its U.S. House members who voted Yes, out of those who voted Yes or No. Colors show the vote, not party.

   Office of the Clerk, U.S. House ↗ — includes how every member voted

Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes

Legislative history

1. Mar 18, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2. Mar 17, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3. Mar 17, 2026On 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, 2026Passed/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).
5. Mar 17, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545)
6. Mar 16, 2026At 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, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294.
8. Mar 16, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517)
9. Mar 16, 2026Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
10. Feb 23, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436.
11. Feb 23, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
12. Feb 23, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510.
13. Jan 22, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
14. Jan 22, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
15. Jan 22, 2026Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
16. Jul 22, 2025Subcommittee Hearings Held
17. Jul 16, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
18. Jul 7, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
19. Jul 7, 2025Introduced in House
20. Jul 7, 2025Introduced in House