All Roll Calls
Yes: 320 • No: 66
HR4294119th CongressWALLET
MAWS Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Elfreth
Passed House
Summary
Creates a NOAA two-year pilot program to buy invasive blue catfish from Chesapeake Bay watermen. The pilot would fund purchases from watermen and seafood processors, set a minimum price per pound, cap transport reimbursements, and require catch certification and ecological and market reporting.
Show full summary
- Watermen: Watermen could sell blue catfish caught in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed into cooperative agreements and must certify their catch. The pilot would run for two years and the Secretary would set the minimum per pound price.
- Processors and feed manufacturers: Pet food, animal feed, and aquaculture feed manufacturers and seafood processors could apply for awards to buy blue catfish from watermen. Awards must be used to buy fish and no more than 15% may cover transport costs.
- Science, oversight, and reporting: NOAA would publish an abundance estimate by September 30, 2027 and annually through fiscal year 2032. The agency must also report to Congress after the pilot on population size, ecological effects, economic impacts on participating watermen, market response, processing and transport practices, and recommendations for continuation or expansion.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Pilot buys blue catfish from watermen
If enacted, NOAA would run a two-year pilot to buy blue catfish caught in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Watermen who catch these fish, and seafood processors who bought them from watermen, would be able to sell. Makers of pet, animal, or aquaculture feed could enter agreements; awards would have purchase targets set by the Secretary. The Secretary would set a minimum price per pound, with separate rates for fillet and byproduct. Up to 15% of award funds would cover transport to processing plants. Watermen and processors would need to certify the fish came from the watershed to get paid. The pilot would start the first fiscal year after NOAA issues guidance (due within 1 year of enactment) and posts the first abundance estimate (due by September 30, 2027). NOAA would brief Congress within 90 days and then quarterly, and report within 180 days after the pilot ends.
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
Ivey
MD • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Mfume
MD • D
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Scott (VA)
VA • D
Sponsored 8/1/2025
Maloy
UT • R
Sponsored 1/15/2026
Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]
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