Sarah Elfreth

MAWS Act of 2026

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.

Maryland Whole Watershed Program Federal Partnership Act

This bill would establish a federal partnership program to help Maryland manage and protect its watersheds—the areas of land where water drains into rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay. The program would likely coordinate between federal agencies and state/local organizations to fund projects that improve water quality, restore habitats, and address pollution across entire watershed regions rather than just individual waterways. This would affect Maryland residents, farmers, businesses, and environmental groups working on water conservation and pollution reduction efforts.

Preventing Domestic Violence Homicides Through Lethality Assessment Training and Technical Assistance Act

The federal government would fund a national training center to help police departments and other organizations set up and improve lethality assessment programs—tools that identify which domestic violence cases are most likely to turn deadly so authorities can intervene more aggressively. The Attorney General would manage these grants to spread these assessment programs across the country with the goal of preventing domestic violence homicides. This would primarily affect law enforcement agencies, domestic violence organizations, and potentially the victims and families they serve.

Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act

This bill would prevent the federal government from using national parks and public lands as a way to favor one political party over another, likely by restricting how access passes or permits are distributed based on political affiliation or donations. The measure would affect visitors, outdoor enthusiasts, and potentially companies that operate concessions or services on federal lands. It aims to ensure that public natural resources are managed fairly regardless of people's political beliefs or party membership.

Protecting American Energy Security Act of 2026

This bill aims to strengthen America's energy independence by likely expanding domestic energy production, reducing reliance on foreign energy sources, and potentially streamlining approval processes for energy projects. The legislation would affect energy companies, workers in the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors, and consumers who pay for electricity and fuel. The specific details of how it would achieve these goals are still being developed as the bill moves through the House committee process.

NOAA Data Preservation Act

The bill would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to preserve and maintain long-term access to scientific data it collects about weather, oceans, and climate. This ensures that researchers, businesses, and the public can continue to access important environmental information for years to come, rather than losing valuable data due to budget cuts or changing priorities.

Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act

This bill would prevent federal employees from having their student loan debt forgiven or reduced through federal student loan forgiveness programs. The legislation would essentially block federal workers from accessing relief programs that other borrowers might be eligible for, potentially affecting thousands of government employees struggling with education debt.

Help FEDS Act

The bill would make it easier for federal employees to access flexible work arrangements, such as remote work and adjusted schedules, while maintaining their job security and benefits. It aims to help federal agencies attract and retain talented workers by offering work-life balance options similar to those available in the private sector. The legislation would affect roughly 2 million federal employees across various government agencies.