Congress funds ferry expansion for coastal communities through 2031
H.R. 7774 — FERRIES Act · Filed by Emily Randall (D-WA) · 10 cosponsors · Introduced Mar 3, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill authorizes federal grants to states and transit agencies for passenger ferry services, including construction of ferries and terminals, urban ferry operations, and fleet modernization. It increases funding from roughly $30–50 million annually under current law to $160–200 million per year through 2031, benefiting coastal and island communities that rely on ferry transportation.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is straightforward: it authorizes increased federal appropriations for passenger ferry grant programs administered by the Department of Transportation. This is routine infrastructure legislation with no hidden provisions or private carve-outs.
What the text implies
- The bill codifies a pilot program (IIJA electric/low-emitting ferry program) into permanent law, shifting it from temporary to ongoing federal commitment and potentially expanding eligible recipients beyond the original pilot scope.
- Expansion of 'covered entity' definition to include section 5311 recipients (rural transit agencies) may broaden ferry grant eligibility beyond traditional urban coastal systems, affecting rural transit funding allocation.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
shipyard operators and maritime construction firms; transit agencies in coastal and island communities; ferry operators and service providers