A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the FERRIES Act. It provides funding and updates rules for various passenger ferry grant programs administered by the Secretary of Transportation. The legislation authorizes appropriations for constructing ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. It also updates the urban passenger ferry grant program, the ferry fleet modernization and shipyard job creation grant program, and the rural ferry grant program. Additionally, the bill appropriates specific additional sums out of the general fund of the Treasury for these transit and highway infrastructure programs through fiscal year 2031.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +7
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
The bill provides massive new authorizations for passenger ferry construction, urban ferry programs, and rural ferry services.
- Scored +6
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes funding for essential ferry services in rural communities.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill maintains and funds essential ferry services specifically for rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a) provides increased funding authorizations ranging from $160,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 to $168,000,000 in fiscal year 2031 for the construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities, which can improve local transit infrastructure for everyday travelers.
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Section 2(b) increases the authorization of appropriations to $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the urban passenger ferry grant program and raises apportionments from $30,000,000 to $100,000,000, helping urban commuters rely on better-funded transit options.
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Section 2(c) renames and codifies the ferry fleet modernization and shipyard job creation grant program with authorizations of $140,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, which supports shipyard jobs and modernizes transportation fleets.
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Section 2(d) maintains and updates the rural ferry grant program, authorizing $300,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031, with a requirement that not less than 80 percent of funds go to specific eligible services, directly benefiting rural residents who rely on basic essential ferry services.
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Title II appropriates an additional $500,000,000 for highway infrastructure programs for ferry boats and terminals, $1,250,000,000 for transit infrastructure grants, $1,250,000,000 for the rural communities program, and $500,000,000 for the fleet modernization and shipyard job creation program from the general fund of the Treasury to remain available until expended, injecting substantial resources into public transportation systems.
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Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not explicitly mention any potential negative impacts, burdens, or consequences for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill provides massive new authorizations for passenger ferry construction, urban ferry programs, and rural ferry services. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill maintains and funds essential ferry services specifically for rural areas. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill funds the modernization of ferry fleets, which includes low-emitting vessel options.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes funding for essential ferry services in rural communities. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill provides substantial new funding for the Urban Passenger Ferry Grant Program. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased public transit options can improve mobility for low-income households.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes a grant program specifically for shipyard job creation. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill invests significant federal funds into transit infrastructure and shipyard modernization.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Improved transit infrastructure can support more stable communities, though the link to housing is indirect.
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/7/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 3/4/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 3/3/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Nicholas BegichRepublican · Alaska
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
William KeatingDemocrat · Massachusetts
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California