A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The MARA Act of 2026 directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create an assessment program for commercial-scale offshore aquaculture through demonstration projects. It establishes an Office of Aquaculture to coordinate regulatory, scientific, and outreach efforts. The bill also creates Aquaculture Centers of Excellence to support workforce development and job creation in the seafood industry. Through these projects, the act aims to reduce the United States seafood trade deficit by increasing domestic supply. Additionally, the legislation requires specific studies by the National Academies of Sciences and the Government Accountability Office. These efforts are intended to ensure offshore aquaculture is developed safely, sustainably, and with minimal conflict with existing fishing access.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +6
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill establishes aquaculture centers of excellence and workforce development programs to create new jobs in the seafood industry.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides support for industry through marketing, promotion, and technical assistance for operators.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically includes grants for Tribal colleges and institutions serving Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill acknowledges potential risks to marine life, water chemistry, and habitat from offshore aquaculture projects.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Job Creation and Economic Support: The bill aims to support aquaculture workforce development and working waterfronts by creating new jobs and supporting existing jobs and businesses in the seafood industry (Section 2, Purpose 3).
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Workforce Training: It establishes a grant program to support the education and training of individuals with the skills needed to manage and operate offshore aquaculture facilities (Section 301(b)(1)).
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Educational Opportunities for Institutions: The bill provides for grants to "covered institutions"—including minority-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, Alaska Native-serving, and Tribal colleges—to establish or enhance aquaculture curricula (Section 302(a)).
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Increased Seafood Supply: The act seeks to reduce the United States seafood trade deficit by expanding the domestic supply of seafood through sustainable offshore aquaculture (Section 2, Purpose 5).
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Priority for Impacted Workers: Priority consideration for demonstration project permits may be given to applicants who can demonstrate benefits to individuals in the agricultural, wild-caught fishery, or aquaculture industries who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or major disasters (Section 202(f)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risks to Marine Life and Environment: The bill acknowledges potential risks such as the escape of cultured species, wildlife entanglement, and adverse impacts on water chemistry and habitat (Section 201(b)(1)).
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Potential for Pollution: Demonstration projects must address the risk of pollution impacts to the marine environment (Section 201(b)(1)(C)).
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Conflicts with Existing Users: There is a recognized need to minimize conflicts with existing recreational and commercial fishing access and uses (Section 2, Purpose 6), as well as potential interference with existing uses of water bodies (Section 201(b)(2)(C)).
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Risk of Disease and Genetic Issues: The bill notes the necessity of managing risks related to the spread of pathogens and the potential for genetic mixing between cultured and wild species (Section 203(e) and Section 401(b)(1)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides support for industry through marketing, promotion, and technical assistance for operators. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically includes grants for Tribal colleges and institutions serving Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. Would students be better off under this? — The bill establishes grant programs for higher education institutions to develop new aquaculture curricula. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill supports working waterfronts and industry development in coastal areas. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill supports workforce development and job training within the seafood industry. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill promotes workforce development and job creation which can benefit low-income workers in the seafood industry.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes aquaculture centers of excellence and workforce development programs to create new jobs in the seafood industry. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill supports the development of the domestic seafood industry and provides support for existing businesses within that sector.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds a comprehensive assessment program and commissions studies by the National Academies of Sciences. Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides grants to covered institutions to establish or enhance aquaculture curricula.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides grants specifically to minority-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, and Tribal institutions for aquaculture curricula. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill aims to support job creation and workforce development in coastal and fishing communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires various reports to be made available to the public regarding aquaculture assessment and studies.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill supports working waterfronts and the development of the seafood industry in coastal regions. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill acknowledges potential risks to marine life, water chemistry, and habitat from offshore aquaculture projects.
- 7/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii