CNMI Ferry Act
H.R. 4039119th Congress

CNMI Ferry Act

Introduced in the HouseDel. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP-At Large)21 sections · 1 min read
Version: Introduced in House · Jun 17, 2025

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Connecting the Northern Mariana Islands through Ferry Services Act or the CNMI Ferry Act.

Section 2. Ferry service funding for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Section 71103 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 147 note) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (2)—

(i) by striking means a ferry service and all that follows through the period and inserting means—; and

(ii) by adding at the end the following:

(A) a ferry service that—

(i) operated a regular schedule at any time during the 5-year period ending on March 1, 2020; and

(ii) served not less than 2 rural areas located more than 50 sailing miles apart; and

(B) a ferry service operating, or being planned or established with the intent that the ferry service operate, a regular schedule in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(B) in paragraph (3) to read as follows:

(A) In general

The term rural area has the meaning given the term in section 5302 of title 49, United States Code.

(B) Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

For purposes of the program established under subsection (b), the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any area therein, shall be deemed to be a rural area.

(B) ; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

(5) State

The term State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

(C) ; and

(2) in subsection (c) by striking including requirements for the provision of funds to States. and inserting

(2) including—

(1) requirements for the provision of funds to States; and

(2) requirements for the provision of funds to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for the establishment and operation of an eligible service.

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