A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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 establish an assessment program for commercial-scale offshore aquaculture through demonstration projects. It creates an Office of Aquaculture to coordinate regulatory, scientific, and outreach efforts. The bill aims to study the environmental and regulatory viability of a domestic offshore aquaculture industry while supporting workforce development and working waterfronts. Additionally, it seeks to expand the domestic seafood supply to reduce trade deficits and minimize conflicts with existing fishing access. The Act also mandates specific scientific studies and government reports to guide future regulation.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill explicitly aims to support aquaculture workforce development and create new jobs.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill supports the development of a new aquaculture industry and provides technical assistance for operators.
- Scored +4
Is this likely to grow the economy?
The act seeks to expand the domestic seafood supply and support the seafood industry's economic vitality.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
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 within the seafood industry (Section 2. Purpose 3).
-
Increased Seafood Supply: The act intends to reduce the United States seafood trade deficit by expanding the domestic supply of seafood through sustainable offshore aquaculture (Section 2. Purpose 4).
-
Industry Support and Technical Assistance: The Office of Aquaculture is tasked with administering support for the industry and organizing programs to provide technical assistance to operators (Section 101(d) and Section 301).
-
Protection of Fishing Access: The bill seeks to support offshore aquaculture development in a way that minimizes conflicts with existing recreational and commercial fishing access and uses (Section 2. Purpose 5).
-
Priority for Impacted Workers: Priority consideration for demonstration project permits may be given to applicants who can demonstrate direct 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)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Risk of Environmental and Wildlife Damage: Demonstration projects must implement practices to prevent risks such as escapes, damage to infrastructure, and entanglements of protected species like large whales and sea turtles (Section 201(b)).
-
Potential for Unsafe Operations: The Administrator has the authority to terminate permits or order the removal of facilities if operations are determined to be unsafe or result in unacceptable negative impacts to the marine environment or nearby human communities (Section 202(k)).
-
Risks from Infrastructure Failure: There is a potential for industry harm related to the loss of or damage to infrastructure due to atmospheric and ocean conditions such as high wind speeds or tsunamis (Section 201(b)).
-
Impact of Species Escape: The bill identifies the risk of escapes of farmed organisms or fertilized eggs as a factor to be managed to prevent harm to wild populations (Section 201(b) and Section 3. Definition 8).
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill explicitly aims to support aquaculture workforce development and create new jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The act seeks to expand the domestic seafood supply and support the seafood industry's economic vitality. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides technical assistance and support for industry participants, which includes small-scale operators.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill supports the development of a new aquaculture industry and provides technical assistance for operators. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill supports aquaculture, which is a specialized form of maritime agriculture. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions to consider the traditional knowledge of Tribal and Indigenous communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires various reports and public notice procedures for permit applications. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a new federal Office of Aquaculture and expands NOAA's regulatory role. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill allows for agreements with coastal states to participate in aquaculture activities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds significant scientific studies and assessment programs for offshore aquaculture.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill emphasizes compliance with environmental laws and impact mitigation for protected species. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill involves the management of offshore aquatic areas through a new regulatory framework.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill aims to reduce the seafood trade deficit by increasing domestic supply.
- 9/15/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 5 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.
Kat CammackRepublican · Florida
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas