H.R. 4039 — CNMI Ferry Act

This section expands eligibility for ferry service funding under section 71103 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 147 note)—a discretionary grant program for rural ferry services—to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Specifically, it (1) revises the definition of eligible service to encompass ferry services in CNMI that are operating, being planned, or being established with the intent to operate a regular schedule (in addition to existing eligible services that operated a regular schedule during the 5-year period ending March 1, 2020, and served at least two rural areas located more than 50 sailing miles apart); (2) defines rural area using the meaning in 49 U.S.C. 5302 and deems CNMI (and areas therein) a rural area for this program; (3) expands the definition of state to explicitly include CNMI, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and other U.S. territories or possessions; and (4) requires funds to be provided to CNMI for establishment and operation of eligible services.