Ferry Caucus Co-Chairs Garamendi, Randall, Begich & Malliotakis Introduce Bipartisan FERRIES Act

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), alongside Ferry Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Congresswoman Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Nick Begich (R-AK-At-Large) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), introduced the bipartisan Federal Enhancement and Revitalization of Reliable Infrastructure for Essential Seaways (FERRIES) Act. The bill would significantly increase federal investments in ferry systems, providing long-term, predictable funding for ferry operators that connect communities across the country.

"With increasing congestion on our bridges and roads, it's becoming clear that people want an affordable, easy, and stress-free way to get into the city," said Rep. Garamendi. "That's why I am thrilled to partner with Ferry Caucus Co-Chairs Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Nick Begich (R-AK-At-Large), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) to introduce the FERRIES Act, which would provide more consistent and sustainable funding for ferry operators working to connect our communities. I look forward to my continued work with the bipartisan Congressional Ferry Caucus to further strengthen ferry services across the country."

"As a ferry commuter myself, I know that our ferry system is in desperate need of improvements. When boats are taken off service routes, this creates significant challenges for the 20 million+ annual ferry commuters in Washington state," said Rep. Randall. "We need to significantly boost investments in ferry services across the country, and the bipartisan FERRIES Act is an important step in that direction."

"In Alaska, many communities are not accessible by a road system and depend on a marine highway. That reality makes ferries a critical part of our transportation system and essential infrastructure," said Rep. Begich. "The bipartisan FERRIES Act delivers long-term, predictable funding so operators can modernize fleets and ensure safe, dependable service for the communities that rely on our marine highway transportation routes. I'm proud to work alongside my colleagues on the Ferry Caucus to advance practical investments that keep America's maritime highways moving at the speed of the modern age."

"I join my Ferry Caucus colleagues in introducing the Federal Enhancement and Revitalization of Reliable Infrastructure for Essential Seaways (FERRIES) Act. As the Representative of a district that depends on maritime transportation including the Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry for daily commuting and travel, I know how essential these ferries are to our community," said Rep. Malliotakis. "This legislation increases federal investment in ferry systems nationwide to ensure long-term, reliable funding for infrastructure upgrades and system improvements."

The bipartisan FERRIES Act would increase funding for ferry programs through three different mechanisms: Highway Trust Fund (HTF), advanced appropriations, and authorized appropriations. Funding from authorized appropriations are subject to levels set in annual appropriations bills, while money from advanced appropriations and the Highway Trust Fund would be available at the start of each fiscal year if this bill were enacted. Increasing and diversifying these funding streams will ensure that our ferry systems will have the resources they need to continue serving communities.

The bipartisan FERRIES Act would:

• Increase funding for the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Passenger Ferry Grant Program to up to $550 million annually. Over the next five years, the bill would authorize $300 million, including $100 million directly from the HTF, and would provide $200 million in advanced appropriations each year.
• Boost funding for the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Ferry Boat Program through the HTF to $160 million annually with a $2 million annual increase for each subsequent year, in addition to $100 million per year through advanced appropriations.
• Expand funding for the FTA Rural Ferry Grant Program to up to $550 million per year, with $300 million authorized (including $100 million directly from the HTF) and $250 million in advanced appropriations.
• Establish the Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation Grant Program to increase funding available for operators who want to electrify and modernize their fleets by switching to alternative fuels, thereby investing in shipyards and their workforces across the country who are building a new generation of vessels.
  • The bill provides $100 million in advanced appropriations and $140 million in authorized funding annually.
• The FERRIES Act would clarify that ferry operators serving both urban and rural communities are eligible for both the FTA Passenger Ferry Grant program and the FTA Ferry Service for Rural Communities program, and create a set-aside for 20 percent of the Rural Ferry Grant Program funds to be available to routes serving any two rural areas, regardless of the distance between those two areas.

Together, these transformative investments and reforms would strengthen ferry systems nationwide, improve reliability and safety, and ensure both urban and rural communities receive equitable access to federal transportation resources.

The Co-Chairs introduced this legislation ahead of the transformative Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's expiration on September 30, 2026. Congress will need to reauthorize and extend the programs included in the law, and the Co-Chairs are calling on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to include the policies and funds included in the FERRIES Act in the next five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill.

In January 2026, Ferry Caucus Co-Chairs Garamendi, Randall, Begich, and Malliotakis held the first inaugural bipartisan Congressional Ferry Caucus roundtable. The bipartisan caucus was created to advocate for the unique needs of communities where ferry transportation is essential. The Congressional Ferry Caucus aims to promote the benefits of and advocate for the long-term federal investment in public ferry systems, including marine, shoreside, and workforce needs.

You can follow along with all Ferry Caucus updates on the newly launched Ferry Caucus Website, as well as the new, official Ferry Caucus Instagram.

The full bill text of the FERRIES Act is available HERE.

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