HR 3962 United States House · 119th Congress

ESTUARIES Act

HR 3962, the ESTUARIES Act, extends a deadline within the National Estuary Program. It amends Section 320(i)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by changing the year "2026" to "2031" in a requirement related to program management. This change directly affects the National Estuary Program, which oversees coastal water quality protection and restoration efforts. The bill makes a specific procedural adjustment to the program's timeline without altering its core policies or funding.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jun 2025

Committee Review

Dec 2025

House Passage

Dec 2025

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Jun 12, 2025 Last action Dec 16, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 3 edits · Dec 15, 2025

MINOR

The ESTUARIES Act was expanded to add Mississippi Sound, Mississippi as a designated estuary under the National Estuary Program, in addition to the previously included change extending the program's authorization date from 2026 to 2031. A new section restricts EPA from using fiscal year 2025 appropriations for implementing the Mississippi Sound designation and conditions use of fiscal year 2026 funds on an appropriation increase of at least $850,000 over fiscal year 2024 levels.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a simple date extension for the National Estuary Program to also include adding a new designated estuary (Mississippi Sound) and imposing funding restrictions on its implementation.

SCOPE

Mississippi Sound, Mississippi is added to the list of estuaries designated under the National Estuary Program in section 320(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

TIMELINE

The authorization date for the National Estuary Program is extended from 2026 to 2031 (this change was present in both versions but is now part of a broader amendment structure).

FISCAL

A new section prohibits EPA from using fiscal year 2025 appropriations to implement the Mississippi Sound designation, and bars use of fiscal year 2026 funds unless those appropriations exceed fiscal year 2024 levels by at least $850,000.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Dec 16, 2025

Committee

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

upper

Dec 15, 2025

Introduced

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

lower

Dec 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

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)

lower

Dec 15, 2025

Introduced

Mr. Johnson (SD) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

lower

Dec 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-400.

lower

Sep 17, 2025

Introduced

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 57 - 2.

lower

Sep 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Sep 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged

lower

Jun 13, 2025

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

lower

Jun 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

lower

Jun 12, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 26 co-sponsors