All Roll Calls
Yes: 320 • No: 66
HR4294119th CongressWALLET
MAWS Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Elfreth
Passed House
Summary
Creates a NOAA-run Blue Catfish Pilot Program to buy invasive blue catfish from Chesapeake Bay watermen and steer them into pet, animal, and aquaculture feed supply chains. The pilot pairs purchases with monitoring to measure abundance, environmental effects, and market outcomes so lawmakers can decide whether to continue or expand the approach.
Show full summary
- Watermen in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed would have a ready buyer and a NOAA-set minimum price per pound for blue catfish, provided they certify the catch came from the watershed.
- Pet food, animal feed, and aquaculture feed manufacturers and seafood processors could receive awarded funds to buy blue catfish from watermen, with up to 15% of funds allowed to cover transportation costs.
- NOAA would work with Maryland, Virginia, and research partners to produce public abundance estimates by September 30, 2027 and annually through fiscal year 2032, and must report program findings and brief congressional committees on outcomes and recommendations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Pilot buys blue catfish from watermen
This bill would set up a NOAA pilot that partners with businesses making pet, animal, or aquaculture feed to buy blue catfish caught in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from watermen or from seafood processors. Awarded buyers would have to pay at least a minimum price per pound set by the Secretary of Commerce. They would be able to use up to 15 percent of award funds for transport to processing or manufacturing plants. Watermen and processors would need to certify the fish were caught or bought within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. NOAA would publish the first blue catfish abundance estimate by September 30, 2027, and each year through fiscal year 2032. The pilot would run for two fiscal years, starting on the first day of the fiscal year after NOAA posts the first estimate and issues guidance. The Secretary would brief Congress within 90 days of enactment and quarterly, and send a final report within 180 days after the pilot ends.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Elfreth
MD • D
Cosponsors
Wittman
VA • R
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Hoyer
MD • D
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]
MD • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
McClain Delaney
MD • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
MD • D
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
VA • D
Sponsored 8/1/2025
Maloy
UT • R
Sponsored 1/15/2026
Gosar
AZ • R
Sponsored 1/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 3/17/2026
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Yes: 320 • No: 66
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