CNMI Ferry Act Unlocks Federal Funds by Defining All of Northern Mariana Islands as 'Rural'

The Connecting the Northern Mariana Islands through Ferry Services Act, or the CNMI Ferry Act, is a short, targeted piece of legislation designed to fix a specific problem: getting federal infrastructure money to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for ferry services.

The Shortest Route to Funding

This bill doesn't create a new program; it adjusts the rules of an existing one—the infrastructure funding established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Essentially, it ensures the CNMI can tap into funds meant for ferry services. It does this by making three key changes to definitions. First, it explicitly includes the CNMI and all its areas as a "rural area" for this program, bypassing the usual complex criteria. Second, it adds the CNMI to the list of entities considered a "State" for receiving this transportation funding, putting it on par with Guam, Puerto Rico, and the 50 states. Third, it broadens the definition of an eligible "ferry service" to specifically include any service currently operating, planned, or setting up to operate on a regular schedule within the CNMI.

What This Means for Everyday Life

For the CNMI, this is a big deal. Imagine living in a place where your commute, or your ability to get supplies to your small business, depends entirely on inter-island travel. When that travel is unreliable or non-existent, everything stops. By ensuring the CNMI qualifies for this dedicated funding, the Act provides the financial backbone needed to establish or stabilize reliable ferry connections between islands like Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. For the resident, this means more predictable travel times, better access to essential services (like specialized healthcare on a different island), and cheaper goods because shipping becomes more efficient.

Cutting Through the Red Tape

The most practical part of this bill is the automatic "rural area" designation. Usually, getting a "rural" tag requires meeting specific population density metrics, which can be complicated and time-consuming. By simply stating that the entire CNMI qualifies (Section 2), the bill cuts out months or years of bureaucratic wrangling. This fast-tracks the territory's ability to apply for and receive funds specifically for establishing and running an "eligible service" there, ensuring the money goes toward making those critical water routes happen. This is the government equivalent of using the express lane.

The Bigger Picture

While this bill is highly specific, it highlights a common issue in federal policy: making sure infrastructure programs designed for the mainland actually work for U.S. territories and island communities. This Act ensures that the CNMI isn't left out of the national infrastructure push simply because its geography and existing transportation systems don't fit neatly into the standard federal definitions. The goal is clear: better connectivity for the CNMI, funded through dedicated federal dollars.