FERRIES Act
Sponsored By: Representative Randall
Introduced
Summary
Greatly expands federal funding for passenger ferry services. It would reorganize and codify ferry grant programs for construction, urban routes, rural essential services, and fleet modernization with multi-year dollar authorizations.
Show full summary
- Urban transit agencies and commuters: Would create an Urban Passenger Ferry Grant Program with $200 million per year for FY2027–FY2031 and raise the apportionment floor to $100 million to increase available transit funds.
- Rural communities and States: Establishes a competitive Rural Ferry Grant Program with a $300 million annual ceiling for FY2027–FY2031 and requires at least 80 percent of funds be provided to eligible rural ferry services, with at least $100 million per year from the Highway Trust Fund.
- Shipyards and ferry builders: Converts an IIJA pilot into a Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation grant program and funds it at $100 million per year in appropriations while authorizing up to $140 million per year for projects and job creation.
*Would increase federal outlays by about $3.5 billion in additional appropriations across FY2027–FY2031, funded from the general fund.*
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants for ferry fleet modernization
If enacted, the bill would create a permanent Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation Grant Program. The Secretary would be able to award competitive grants to eligible transit agencies and designated recipients. The bill would authorize $140 million each year for FY2027 through FY2031 and appropriate $500 million from the general fund, with $100 million available each year for FY2027–FY2031. Up to 2% of the amounts could be used for administrative and oversight costs.
Grants for rural ferry service
If enacted, the bill would create a Ferry Service for Rural Communities competitive grant program. States could get grants for basic essential rural ferry service that must serve at least two rural areas. The bill would authorize $300 million each year for FY2027 through FY2031, require at least $100 million per year of that be derived from the Highway Trust Fund (not the Mass Transit Account), and appropriate $1.25 billion from the general fund with $250 million available each year for FY2027–FY2031. The Secretary would be required to ensure at least 80% of funds to eligible services go to the specified rural services and up to 2% may be used for administrative costs.
More funding for ferry construction
If enacted, the bill would update yearly authorizations for ferry boats and terminal construction to $160 million for FY2027, $162 million for FY2028, $164 million for FY2029, $166 million for FY2030, and $168 million for FY2031. It would also appropriate $500 million from the general fund, with $100 million available each year for FY2027–FY2031 to carry out those projects. Up to 1.5% of each year's amounts could be used for Federal Highway Administration operations, and the funds would be in addition to other highway funds and not subject to certain obligation limits.
More money for urban ferries
If enacted, the bill would add a new urban passenger ferry grant authorization and provide additional appropriations for those grants. It would authorize $200 million per year for FY2027 through FY2031 in addition to other transit funds and appropriate $1.25 billion from the general fund, with $250 million available each year for FY2027–FY2031. The money would be in addition to other annual appropriations and up to 2% could be used for administrative and oversight costs.
Higher minimum transit apportionment
If enacted, the bill would raise the statutory minimum transit apportionment floor from $30 million to $100 million per year. That change would increase the guaranteed minimum distribution available to eligible transit recipients. The change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Randall
WA • D
Cosponsors
Begich
AK • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Garamendi
CA • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Malliotakis
NY • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in