Voters should care about this bill because it directly impacts the reliability and safety of a crucial part of our transportation infrastructure: ferries. Many communities, from bustling cities to isolated islands, depend on ferries for connecting residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services. If this bill passes, it means more reliable and potentially faster ferry service, safer boats, and improved waiting areas at terminals. It also could lead to cleaner air if older, polluting ferries are replaced with modern, low-emission models.
If this bill doesn't become law, many existing ferry systems might struggle to maintain their aging fleets and infrastructure. This could result in more frequent breakdowns, slower service, and a lack of capacity to meet growing demand, potentially disrupting daily life and economic activity in ferry-dependent regions. The bill's focus on shipyard jobs also means it could stimulate economic growth and maintain skilled labor in an important sector of American manufacturing.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Authorizes increased funding for the construction of ferry boats and terminal facilities, totaling $820 million over five fiscal years (2027-2031).
This ensures dedicated and higher levels of funding for essential infrastructure upgrades and expansion of ferry services.
PROVISION 02
Authorizes $200 million annually for urban passenger ferry services and increases the share of funds for urban areas in a related distribution formula.
This provides significant, sustained support for ferry systems in densely populated areas that often face high ridership demands.
PROVISION 03
Transforms the 'Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program' into a permanent 'Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation Grant Program' with $140 million authorized annually.
This accelerates the transition to cleaner, more efficient ferry fleets and supports American shipbuilding jobs.
PROVISION 04
Establishes a permanent 'Rural Ferry Grant Program' with $300 million authorized annually, with a focus on ensuring 80% of funds support essential services in specific rural areas.
This provides critical, long-term funding to maintain vital transportation links for isolated rural communities.
PROVISION 05
Directly appropriates an additional $500 million for the construction of ferry boats and terminal facilities, distributed over five fiscal years.
This provides immediate, concrete funding for infrastructure projects, separate from future authorizations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
COMMITTEE
MAR 3
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 3
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 3
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
Voters should care about this bill because it directly impacts the reliability and safety of a crucial part of our transportation infrastructure: ferries. Many communities, from bustling cities to isolated islands, depend on ferries for connecting residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services. If this bill passes, it means more reliable and potentially faster ferry service, safer boats, and improved waiting areas at terminals. It also could lead to cleaner air if older, polluting ferries are replaced with modern, low-emission models.
If this bill doesn't become law, many existing ferry systems might struggle to maintain their aging fleets and infrastructure. This could result in more frequent breakdowns, slower service, and a lack of capacity to meet growing demand, potentially disrupting daily life and economic activity in ferry-dependent regions. The bill's focus on shipyard jobs also means it could stimulate economic growth and maintain skilled labor in an important sector of American manufacturing.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Authorizes increased funding for the construction of ferry boats and terminal facilities, totaling $820 million over five fiscal years (2027-2031).
This ensures dedicated and higher levels of funding for essential infrastructure upgrades and expansion of ferry services.
med
Authorizes $200 million annually for urban passenger ferry services and increases the share of funds for urban areas in a related distribution formula.
This provides significant, sustained support for ferry systems in densely populated areas that often face high ridership demands.
high
Transforms the 'Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program' into a permanent 'Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation Grant Program' with $140 million authorized annually.
This accelerates the transition to cleaner, more efficient ferry fleets and supports American shipbuilding jobs.
high
Establishes a permanent 'Rural Ferry Grant Program' with $300 million authorized annually, with a focus on ensuring 80% of funds support essential services in specific rural areas.
This provides critical, long-term funding to maintain vital transportation links for isolated rural communities.
high
Directly appropriates an additional $500 million for the construction of ferry boats and terminal facilities, distributed over five fiscal years.
This provides immediate, concrete funding for infrastructure projects, separate from future authorizations.
Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities
discretionary
Fiscal Year 2027
$162,000,000
Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities
discretionary
Fiscal Year 2028
$164,000,000
Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities
discretionary
Fiscal Year 2029
$166,000,000
Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities
discretionary
Fiscal Year 2030
$168,000,000
Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities
discretionary
Fiscal Year 2031
$200,000,000
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Titles 23 and 49, United States Code
Specific sections of federal law that deal with highways (Title 23) and transportation (Title 49) in the U.S. These are the parts of law the bill would change.
Codify
To officially write a program or policy into permanent federal law, rather than having it exist as a temporary or pilot program.
Grant programs
Government programs that offer financial assistance to states, local governments, or other organizations for specific projects or services, such as improving transportation.
Fiscal year
A 12-month period that a government or business uses for budgeting and accounting. The U.S. federal government's fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th.
Authorization of appropriations
A legislative act that establishes a program or agency and specifies the maximum amount of money that Congress *may* later provide for that program or agency through a separate appropriation bill. It is permission to spend, not the actual spending itself.
Appropriations
The actual legal act by Congress that provides money from the U.S. Treasury for specific federal programs or government agencies. This is when the money is actually set aside to be spent.
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTS
MAR 4
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
COMMITTEE
MAR 3
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 3
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 3
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation Grant Program
discretionary
Each of Fiscal Years 2027-2031
$300,000,000
Rural Ferry Grant Program
discretionary
Each of Fiscal Years 2027-2031
$500,000,000
Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities (additional appropriation)
discretionary
Fiscal Years 2027-2031 (distributed $100M/year)
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
A major law passed in 2021 that authorized significant federal spending on various infrastructure projects across the United States. This bill amends and builds upon programs established by the IIJA.
