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To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
HR8200119th CongressWALLET
Interstate Ferry Fairness Act
Sponsored By: Representative LaLota
Introduced
Summary
This bill would broaden Federal participation to include certain privately owned ferries and terminals. It sets public-benefit and interstate-need rules for eligibility, allows Federal construction or purchase for private ownership, and defines fare limits and cost-recovery rules for private operators.
Show full summary
- Private owners and operators: Federal support could pay to construct or purchase ferries or terminals that are privately owned when they demonstrate substantial public benefits or meet interstate transportation needs. Private ferries operating between adjoining States could charge fares capped to cover operation, maintenance, repair, debt service, and negotiated management fees plus a reasonable rate of return.
- Routes and riders: Eligibility would cover ferries that carry cars or ferries that carry passengers only and routes classified as State public roads or that connect adjoining States. That may expand service options between neighboring States.
- Grants and eligibility changes: The Surface Transportation Block Grant Program would include ferries and terminal facilities eligible under the revised section 129(c) and the term "public entities" would be replaced with "entities" to widen who can receive funds. The private-ownership eligibility for certain ferries and terminals would take effect 1 year after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More federal help for ferries
If enacted, the bill would let the federal government take part in building, buying, or supporting more ferry boats and terminal projects. Ferries and terminals could be eligible when publicly owned, majority public with a Secretary finding of substantial public benefit, or privately owned (or majority private) for ferries that run between two adjoining States if the Secretary finds substantial public benefits or key surface-transportation needs. The bill would widen eligible routes to state public roads (not Interstates) and to routes between two adjoining States that connect public roads. Surface Transportation Block Grant money would also be allowed for ferries and terminals that meet these rules. Privately owned or majority privately owned ferries and terminals would become eligible for a related construction program one year after enactment.
New fare rules for private ferries
If enacted, privately owned or mostly privately owned ferries that run between two adjoining States would be allowed to set fares to cover actual and necessary operation, maintenance, repair, debt service, and negotiated management fees, plus a reasonable rate of return the Secretary approves. All fare revenue would have to be used to pay those costs, and the ferry could keep only the approved rate of return. This rule would apply to privately or majority-privately owned interstate ferries.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
LaLota
NY • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
CT • D
Sponsored 4/6/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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