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Congress·Passed House·3 months ago

Bill seeks to extend National Estuary Program to 2031, add Mississippi Sound with $850,000 funding trigger

Also known as: ESTUARIES Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(3)
Farmer Rancher
Neutral
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Gig Worker
Neutral

State Impacts

MississippiMS
Mixed

Adds Mississippi Sound to the National Estuary Program, which can support coordinated water-quality planning and future grants. But EPA is barred from using FY 2025 funds for Mississippi Sound implementation, and FY 2026 funds are restricted unless total program funding is at least $850,000 above FY 2024 levels—so benefits could be delayed.

FloridaFL
neutral

The bill keeps Pensacola and Perdido Bays listed and does not change their status beyond punctuation and adding Mississippi Sound elsewhere. Any benefit would mainly come from the overall program being authorized through 2031, which supports continued work if Congress funds it.

Key Points

  • Keeps the national program that cleans and protects bays and river mouths going until 2031
  • Adds Mississippi Sound, Mississippi so it can get planning help and grants under the program
  • Blocks use of 2025 money there and requires at least $850,000 more in 2026 funding than in 2024 before spending, to avoid squeezing current projects
  • Aims to boost clean water, fish and oyster habitat, flood and storm protection, and safe recreation for nearby communities
EnvironmentClimate ChangeInfrastructure

Milestones

5 milestones15 actions
Dec 16, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Dec 15, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Dec 15, 2025House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5872)

Dec 15, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5872)

Dec 15, 2025House

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3962.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law

Mississippi Sound, Mississippi is added to the list of National Estuary Program locations.

This opens the door to a formal local planning process and future grant-supported cleanup and conservation work—once funding rules allow it.

During FY 2025 (if/when the bill is law)

EPA is not allowed to use National Estuary Program FY 2025 funds to start Mississippi Sound implementation work.

People may not see new federally supported planning, conferences, or grants for Mississippi Sound during FY 2025 because the bill blocks using that year’s money.

During FY 2026, depending on appropriations

EPA can use FY 2026 funds for Mississippi Sound only if total FY 2026 program funding is at least $850,000 higher than FY 2024 program funding.

If Congress doesn’t increase overall program funding enough, Mississippi Sound work could be delayed again in FY 2026; if it does, work could ramp up.

Starting when the bill is law, through 2031

National Estuary Program remains authorized through 2031 (instead of ending at 2026).

Existing estuary sites and partners have a longer runway for multi-year projects, but actual funding still depends on yearly decisions by Congress.

Related News

8 articles
Riverhead News-Review·7 months ago

Sen. Gillibrand, local leaders oppose federal funding cuts affecting Peconic Estuary

Local leaders cite the ESTUARIES Act of 2025—bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Estuary Program through 2031—as they push to sustain estuary funding and protections.

C+
ECO Magazine (Environment, Coastal & Offshore)·9 months ago

ESTUARIES Act to Reauthorize the EPA’s National Estuary Program Through 2031

Coverage of the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act led by Rep. Shomari Figures with a Senate companion from Sens. Whitehouse and Cassidy to extend the National Estuary Program to 2031.

+
The Orcasonian·9 months ago

Larsen introduces bipartisan ESTUARIES Act to reauthorize EPA’s national estuary program

Announcement of the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act introduction to reauthorize EPA’s National Estuary Program through 2031, noting broad coastal benefits.

C+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

ESTUARIES Act

Bill NumberHR 3962
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(26)
D: 19R: 7

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.