Congress·Passed House·H.R. 3962

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

ESTUARIES Act

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ House

Senate

President

Law

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

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

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.

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.