CNMI Ferry Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4039

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2025-07-24T21:37:07Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Connecting the Northern Mariana Islands through Ferry Services Act" (H.R. 4039), also known as the "CNMI Ferry Act," aims to expand access to federal funding for ferry services by including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) as an eligible recipient. This funding, originally from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), supports basic essential ferry services in rural areas to improve transportation connectivity.

Key Provisions

• Eligibility for CNMI Ferry Services: Amends the IIJA to define an "eligible service" as including ferry operations (existing, planned, or being established) that run on a regular schedule in CNMI, particularly serving rural areas more than 50 sailing miles apart.
• Rural Area Designation: Explicitly classifies CNMI and all areas within it as "rural" for the purposes of the ferry funding program, even if they do not meet the standard definition under U.S. transportation law (which generally refers to areas outside urban zones with low population density).
• Expanded Definition of "State": Broadens the term "State" in the IIJA to include not just the 50 states and District of Columbia, but also U.S. territories like CNMI, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other possessions.
• Funding Requirements: Updates program rules to require the provision of funds specifically to CNMI for establishing and operating eligible ferry services, in addition to existing requirements for other states.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Inclusion of CNMI: Previously, the IIJA's ferry funding program (under Section 71103) focused on services operating before March 1, 2020, serving rural areas over 50 miles apart, but did not explicitly include CNMI. This bill adds CNMI-specific language to make it eligible without needing prior operational history in some cases.
• Deemed Rural Status: Introduces a special provision treating CNMI as inherently rural for this program, overriding the general definition in federal transportation code (49 U.S.C. § 5302), which could exclude more urbanized territories.
• Funding Allocation Rules: Modifies subsection (c) to mandate direct funding pathways for CNMI, ensuring territories are not overlooked in federal grant distributions.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and its Federal Transit Administration (FTA) may need to adjust grant application processes and funding formulas to incorporate CNMI, potentially increasing administrative workload but promoting equitable distribution of IIJA funds (estimated at billions for transportation infrastructure).
• On Citizens: Residents of CNMI, especially in remote or rural islands, could gain better access to essential ferry services for travel, goods transport, and emergency response, reducing isolation and boosting economic opportunities in a territory with limited road infrastructure.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as CNMI is a U.S. commonwealth with strategic Pacific location; however, improved connectivity could enhance U.S. presence in the region amid geopolitical interests with neighboring countries like China.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• CNMI Government and Residents: Primary beneficiaries, including local transportation authorities and island communities reliant on sea travel.
• Ferry Operators: Existing or prospective providers in CNMI who can now apply for federal funding to start or expand services.
• U.S. Federal Agencies: DOT and FTA, responsible for administering and distributing the funds.
• Other U.S. Territories: Indirectly affected, as the expanded "State" definition sets a precedent for similar inclusions (e.g., Guam, Puerto Rico), potentially influencing future funding equity among territories.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens compliance with federal obligations under the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth (1976), which integrates CNMI into U.S. laws while respecting its unique status; no conflicts with existing transportation statutes, but it clarifies ambiguities in IIJA applicability to territories.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's plenary power over territories (Article IV, Section 3), ensuring equal treatment under federal spending programs without raising equal protection concerns.
• Political: Represents a bipartisan push for infrastructure equity in underserved U.S. territories, potentially influencing future legislation on Pacific island funding; introduced by Rep. King-Hinds (likely a reference to a representative from a territory-focused district), it highlights advocacy for non-contiguous U.S. areas often overlooked in mainland-centric policies.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-06-17: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-06-17: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-17: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Connecting the Northern Mariana Islands through Ferry Services Act — issued 2025-06-17 — PDF (4 pages)