This bill provides funding for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for fiscal year 2027. It allocates money to support transportation infrastructure projects, including grants for highways, airports, rail systems, and transit, as well as funding for aviation safety and maritime security. The legislation also directs resources to housing programs such as tenant-based rental assistance, public housing operations, and grants for community development and homeless assistance. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for administrative expenses, cybersecurity initiatives, and specific restrictions on how funds can be used across these departments.
The Maritime Cybersecurity Act requires owners and operators of covered maritime facilities to annually report on the software and hardware they use, specifically focusing on equipment connected to the internet or manufactured by foreign entities of concern. Under this bill, the Secretary of Transportation must conduct assessments of these systems to identify security weaknesses, even if doing so violates existing contracts or requires bypassing consent from facility owners. The legislation mandates that facilities generally cannot use unassessed foreign technology unless the Secretary grants a waiver based on a determination that the commercial benefits outweigh the low national security risks. Additionally, the Act establishes a process for the government to share sensitive cybersecurity findings with relevant federal partners while keeping the specific details confidential from the public.
The ADAPT Assets Act establishes a competitive grant program to fund up to 10 demonstration projects that help critical transportation infrastructure withstand natural hazards. Eligible recipients include states, local governments, transit agencies, ports, and Tribal entities, with funding capped at an 80 percent federal share. The program specifically targets large-scale projects costing at least $500 million that address barriers like complex governance or the integration of nature-based solutions, allowing funds to cover design, permitting, and construction. To ensure transparency and coordination, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to publish a public dashboard tracking project progress and to submit periodic reports evaluating the effectiveness of these resilience investments.
This bill directs the Transportation Research Board to study new ship hull designs and alternative materials like carbon fiber to improve waterborne transit systems. The evaluation aims to enhance fleet performance and increase the payload capacity of these vessels. By focusing on innovative construction technologies, the legislation seeks to provide data on how these materials can make transit more efficient and durable.
The FLEETS Now Act aims to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry by creating new government roles, establishing international partnerships with allies, and investigating unfair practices by Chinese state-owned shipbuilding companies. It creates a new Assistant Secretary position at the State Department to oversee maritime and space affairs, designates a lead official for international shipbuilding investment, and sets up an exchange program for shipbuilding experts between the U.S. and other countries. The bill also requires regular reports on Chinese shipbuilding entities, establishes a framework for allied countries to collaborate on ship production, and directs U.S. diplomats to advocate for changes at the International Maritime Organization regarding environmental regulations and leadership positions.
The Interstate Ferry Fairness Act allows privately owned ferries and ferry terminals operating between two adjoining states to receive federal funding for construction and purchase. Under this legislation, private ferry operators can apply for federal assistance if the Secretary of Transportation determines the project provides substantial public benefits or meets surface transportation needs. The bill also permits privately owned ferries to charge fares that cover operational costs plus a reasonable rate of return approved by the Secretary. These changes expand eligibility for the Ferry Boat Program beyond publicly owned vessels, while maintaining oversight on fare structures and fund usage.
This bill creates a formal process for temporarily waiving coastwise endorsement requirements for vessels transporting goods between U.S. ports. It allows agencies to grant waivers when no suitable product carriers are available and the applicant has made a good faith effort to find one. The bill sets specific timelines for agency responses, requires detailed explanations for denied requests, and mandates notifications to Congress within 48 hours of any waiver request or issuance. This legislation primarily affects shipping companies and logistics operators who need to move goods across U.S. waters but lack vessels meeting standard coastwise regulations.
This bill establishes and funds four federal grant programs to support passenger ferry services across the United States from 2027 through 2031. It authorizes funding for building and upgrading ferry boats and terminals, expanding urban ferry grants, creating a modernization program for ferry fleets and shipyards, and supporting essential ferry service in rural areas. The legislation allocates hundreds of millions of dollars in total funding, with specific amounts designated for each program and fiscal year, and requires that a significant portion of rural ferry funds go to services connecting multiple rural communities.
HR 2073, the Defending our Dams Act, prohibits federal funding for any study, planning, or technical assistance related to removing or altering the Lower Snake River dams in Washington State. It specifically blocks the use of federal funds for evaluating dam removal alternatives, including replacements for power, flood control, or navigation. The bill also restricts spillage operations at these dams without explicit approval from the Army Corps of Engineers and Bonneville Power Administration, requiring consideration of all Columbia River System operations. The law directly affects federal agencies' ability to fund or plan for changes to the four specific dams: Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite.
The Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2025 establishes a federal Task Force to identify and address challenges facing working waterfronts, which are properties used for commercial fishing, boating businesses, aquaculture, and other water-dependent coastal activities. It creates a $50 million annual grant program (2025-2029) to help coastal states, tribal governments, and Native Hawaiian organizations develop and implement working waterfronts plans that preserve access to coastal waters and protect these businesses from threats like sea level rise and conversion to incompatible uses. The bill also authorizes a preservation loan fund to provide low-interest loans for waterfront preservation, with special provisions for disadvantaged communities. Covered entities must develop plans identifying threatened waterfront areas, prioritizing preservation needs, and ensuring public access. The law aims to protect working waterfronts through coordinated federal and local planning efforts.
