Sponsor
Kimberlyn King-Hinds
Representative · R-MP
Representative · R-MP
The bill broadens federal ferry program eligibility to include territories (notably CNMI), improving connectivity for territorial and rural communities while increasing federal costs and competition for limited grant funds, which may reduce funding per project and raise subsidy needs for very remote routes.
Residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) gain access to federal ferry construction and operating funds, enabling the establishment or restoration of regular ferry service to improve local mobility.
Rural communities served by qualifying ferries can receive federal support for terminals and vessels, improving connectivity for remote areas and access to jobs, services, and markets.
Local governments and territories (including D.C.) benefit from clarified statutory language that treats territories as 'States' for program eligibility, standardizing access and simplifying grant administration.
Taxpayers may face higher federal spending to establish and operate ferry services in territories, increasing the fiscal burden on federal budgets.
Expanding eligibility to territories increases competition for limited program funds, which could reduce per-project awards for existing U.S. ferry projects and strain local government planning and workers.
Ferry projects in very remote territories may require higher per-user subsidies, raising concerns about cost-effectiveness and potentially diverting funds from higher-impact projects.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Amends federal ferry program law to make the CNMI and qualifying ferry services in the territory eligible for funds to establish and operate service.
Official title: To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to allow the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to be eligible to receive certain funding for use providing basic essential ferry service in rural areas, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 17, 2025 by Kimberlyn King-Hinds · Last progress June 17, 2025
Adds the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and its ferry services into the federal highway law that funds construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities. It expands definitions of eligible services, rural areas, and States/territories so the CNMI can receive program funds to establish and operate qualifying ferry services.