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H.R. 4294 House Public Lands and Natural Resources

Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act of 2025

Introduced
Jul 7, 2025
Sponsor
Rep. Elfreth, Sarah (D-MD-3)
View on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab)

STAGE 4 OF 8 — HOUSE FLOOR

Currently in the House. Last action: received in the senate and read twice and referred to the committee on commerce, science, and transportation on Mar 18, 2026.

  1. House Introduced in House Jul 7, 2025
  2. House Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Jul 7, 2025
  3. House Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. Jul 16, 2025
  4. House Subcommittee Hearings Held Jul 22, 2025
  5. House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged Jan 22, 2026
  6. House Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held Jan 22, 2026
  7. House Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent. Jan 22, 2026
  8. House Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-510. Feb 23, 2026
  9. House Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 436. Feb 23, 2026
  10. House Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. Mar 16, 2026
  11. House Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2516-2519; text: CR H2516-2517) Mar 16, 2026
  12. House DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4294. Mar 16, 2026
  13. House 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. Mar 16, 2026
  14. House Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545) Mar 17, 2026
  15. House 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). Mar 17, 2026
  16. 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). Mar 17, 2026
  17. House Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. Mar 17, 2026
  18. House
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Mar 17, 2026
    Agreed Yea 320 Nay 66 Roll Call
  19. Senate Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Mar 18, 2026

Cosponsors

10

Subjects

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

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
    • Referred To , Mar 18, 2026
  • Natural Resources Committee
    • Reported By , Feb 23, 2026
    • Markup By , Jan 22, 2026
    • Discharged from , Jan 22, 2026
    • Referred To , Jul 7, 2025

Summary

Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act of 2026 or the MAWS Act of 2026This 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 as of: Reported to House

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