The FERRIES Act (H.R. 7774)
March 3, 2026
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Where This Stands
Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
This bill would authorize over $3 billion in total federal spending through 2031 to expand and modernize passenger ferry infrastructure, directly impacting the availability and quality of ferry services in urban and rural communities.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Passenger Ferry Operators
These entities are eligible to apply for expanded grant funding for fleet modernization and infrastructure projects.
Rural Communities
These areas are the target of a dedicated $300 million annual grant program to maintain essential ferry services.
Shipyards
Shipyards may see increased demand for services due to the expanded Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation Grant Program.
Current stage: in_committee.
Floor Vote.
Summary
Key Facts
- Authorizes $820 million total for ferry boat and terminal construction from 2027 to 2031 ($160M-$168M annually).
- Authorizes $200 million annually for the Urban Passenger Ferry Grant Program from 2027 to 2031.
- Increases the apportionment for urban ferry grants from $30 million to $100 million.
- Authorizes $300 million annually for the Rural Ferry Grant Program from 2027 to 2031, with $100 million of that coming from the Highway Trust Fund.
- Increases funding for the Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation Grant Program to $140 million annually from 2027 to 2031.
- Requires that at least 80% of rural ferry grant funds be directed toward specific rural service categories.
- Appropriates an additional $500 million for highway infrastructure programs specifically for ferry boat and terminal construction, distributed as $100 million annually from 2027 to 2031.
- Codifies the Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation program as Section 5313 of Title 49.
- Codifies the Ferry Service for Rural Communities program as Section 5308 of Title 49.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the FERRIES Act?
How much money does this bill provide for rural ferry services?
Does this bill create new programs?
Why It Matters
This bill would authorize over $3 billion in total federal spending through 2031 to expand and modernize passenger ferry infrastructure, directly impacting the availability and quality of ferry services in urban and rural communities.
News Coverage
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Codification of Pilot Programs
The bill moves ferry programs from temporary status under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into permanent sections of Title 49, U.S. Code.
Connected Entities
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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