Committee advances one‑time ferry upgrade and three‑year pilot to restore Swan Island access

Representative Clucci proposed adding language to the supplemental budget to restore public ferry access to Swan Island, asking the committee to fund a one‑time $50,000 upgrade to the department’s larger ferry to meet U.S. Coast Guard standards and to authorize a pilot small‑vessel service.

Clucci said the recommendation came from a prior study group that suggested two options: a $50,000 one‑time upgrade and a $45,000 ongoing appropriation to contract a local captain for weekend service. After more discussion she said she preferred a three‑year pilot and proposed a one‑time $135,000 general‑fund appropriation to contract seasonal small‑vessel transportation services and require a report back to the committee on usage and outcomes.

Supporters, including Representative Burgeo and the department, said the upgrade would enable school groups and larger events to visit Swan Island and that a pilot would test demand before committing ongoing funds. The department said the $50,000 upgrade would allow it to contract private captains rather than maintain a full‑time captain on staff and that seasonal contracts would typically be paid to private vessels and operators.

Opponents questioned using surplus or unallocated end‑of‑year funds for the upgrade and whether the town of Richmond should contribute. Representative Woodson called the proposal a “pet project” and urged local contribution and caution about tapping surplus funds while constituents face rising costs.

Clucci moved two separate motions: one to transfer $50,000 from the unallocated end‑of‑year balance within Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to upgrade the ferry, and a second to add a $135,000 one‑time appropriation for a three‑year pilot to contract seasonal small‑vessel transportation services, with a report back to the committee. Both motions were seconded and put to voice votes; the chair reminded members they could register remote votes with staff by the stated deadline if they were absent.

The motions direct staff and the department to develop implementation language and a report back timeline; members discussed flexibility for special days (for example Fourth of July) so service was not strictly limited to Friday–Sunday operations.

Next steps: The motions were moved in the work session and members were instructed they could register or amend their votes by the committee’s remote‑vote deadline. The committee did not set ongoing appropriations pending the pilot report.