MAWS Act of 2026
Chesapeake Bay: Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- The Department of Commerce will start a two-year test program to help remove invasive blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay. The government will work with companies that make pet food and animal feed to buy these fish directly from local fishermen and seafood processors.
- The goal is to protect the Chesapeake Bay environment by reducing the number of blue catfish, which are an invasive species. These fish eat native species and disrupt the local ecosystem, so finding a way to turn them into useful products like pet food helps both the environment and the economy.
- Local fishermen, often called watermen, will get a guaranteed minimum price for the blue catfish they catch. This provides a steady income for people working in the Bay while encouraging them to catch as many of these invasive fish as possible.
- The program will also track how many blue catfish are in the Bay and how the program affects other wildlife. By 2027, the government will start publishing yearly reports on the catfish population to see if the plan is working.
- Up to 15% of the program's funds can be used to help pay for transporting the fish to processing plants. This makes it easier for small businesses to participate and helps get the fish from the water to the factory more efficiently.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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).
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
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).
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Considered as unfinished business.
Vote Results
1 voteOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
News
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Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
MAWS Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(10)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.