Sponsors (4)
The bill directs substantial, multi-year federal funding to expand, modernize, and decarbonize ferry service—especially for rural routes—improving transit and jobs but increasing federal outlays, reducing flexibility for some state priorities, and potentially diverting funds from other highway programs.
Rural communities will receive a stable, dedicated increase in ferry operating funding (authorizes $300M/year for FY2027–FY2031, with ≥80% reserved for eligible rural services), helping preserve and expand essential connections.
State governments and transportation workers will get substantial capital support for safer, modern vessels and terminals through $160M–$168M/year for ferry boat and terminal construction, supporting jobs and infrastructure resilience.
Urban communities and transit riders will gain expanded passenger ferry options from an authorized $200M/year urban ferry grant program, increasing transit capacity and connectivity in cities.
Taxpayers bear higher federal spending because the bill authorizes new multi-year ferry funding, which may increase deficits or require spending offsets or higher taxes elsewhere.
Highway and other transportation programs could receive fewer resources because shifting some ferry funding from the Highway Trust Fund may reduce funds available for existing highway programs and projects.
State governments and some rural stakeholders will have less flexibility because the requirement that at least 80% of rural ferry funds go to certain services could limit use of funds for other local ferry needs or priorities.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes FY2027–FY2031 funding for ferry construction, urban and rural ferry grants, and makes the electric/low‑emitting ferry pilot a permanent grant program.
Authorizes multi-year federal funding and program changes for ferry construction, terminals, ferry service grants, and electric/low-emitting ferry grants for fiscal years 2027–2031. Converts an existing electric/low-emitting ferry pilot into a permanent grant program, increases annual authorization levels for several ferry programs, creates a new rural ferry service program with an 80% rural-targeting requirement for certain funds, and includes general appropriations opening language without specific dollar appropriations in the bill itself.
Introduced March 3, 2026 by Emily Randall · Last progress March 3, 2026