FERRIES Act

Summary

Authorizes multi‑year federal grant funding for ferry construction, ferry terminals, and urban passenger ferry service and converts a previously temporary electric/low‑emitting ferry pilot into a permanent federal grant program with broader eligibility. Sets specific FY2027–FY2031 funding levels for multiple ferry grant authorities, creates a new statutory ferry program for rural communities, and adds an appropriations title clause that makes sums available as described elsewhere in the Act. The bill expands which recipients are eligible (including entities eligible under existing urban and rural transit programs), relaxes some mandatory program requirements to discretionary language, and updates allocation rules; it also contains a drafting/typographical error in one statutory amendment that will need correction. Funding still requires annual appropriations action to be made available to agencies and grantees in practice.

• Creates a permanent federal grant program for electric/low‑emitting ferries and related infrastructure by converting a prior IIJA pilot into an ongoing program.
• Authorizes specific multi‑year funding levels for ferry construction, terminals, and urban passenger ferry grants for FY2027–FY2031.
• Adds a new statutory program for ferry service in rural communities (49 U.S.C. § 5308) and broadens eligible recipients to include urban and rural transit recipients.
• Shifts some previously mandatory grant requirements to discretionary language, giving the Secretary more flexibility in implementation.
• Changes prior funding provisos to annual authorized amounts (e.g., replacing a one‑time figure with $40M per year for FY2027–FY2031 in one program).
• Includes an appropriations title opening clause but no new line‑item appropriations; actual funding still depends on annual appropriations.
• Contains a typographical/drafting error in an amendment to 49 U.S.C. §5336(h)(1) that could create ambiguity and likely requires technical correction.
• Expands access for local transit agencies, ferry operators, and rural providers to apply for federal support for vessels, terminals, and electrification projects.