Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Highways and Transit Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Connecting the Northern Mariana Islands through Ferry Services Act" seeks to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically Section 71103, to enable the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to receive federal funding for essential ferry services in rural areas. This legislation expands the definition of an "eligible service" to include ferry services operating, planned, or established with the intent to operate a regular schedule within the CNMI. Crucially, the bill explicitly deems the CNMI, and any area therein, as a "rural area" for the purposes of this program, ensuring it meets eligibility criteria for funding. It also broadens the definition of "State" to include the CNMI, along with other U.S. territories and possessions, thereby allowing it to directly receive these federal funds. Finally, the legislation adds specific requirements for the provision of funds to the CNMI for the establishment and operation of these vital ferry services, mirroring those for States.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Transportation and Public Works
CNMI Ferry Act
USA119th CongressHR-4039| House
| Updated: 6/18/2025
The "Connecting the Northern Mariana Islands through Ferry Services Act" seeks to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically Section 71103, to enable the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to receive federal funding for essential ferry services in rural areas. This legislation expands the definition of an "eligible service" to include ferry services operating, planned, or established with the intent to operate a regular schedule within the CNMI. Crucially, the bill explicitly deems the CNMI, and any area therein, as a "rural area" for the purposes of this program, ensuring it meets eligibility criteria for funding. It also broadens the definition of "State" to include the CNMI, along with other U.S. territories and possessions, thereby allowing it to directly receive these federal funds. Finally, the legislation adds specific requirements for the provision of funds to the CNMI for the establishment and operation of these vital ferry services, mirroring those for States.