Several U.S. senators and representatives are scheduled this morning to announce legislation that would invest $200 million a year from 2010-15 in public ferry systems, including Washington State Ferries.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., will announce the introduction of the U.S. Ferry Systems Investment Act of 2009 at a press conference in the Capitol with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett; and David Moseley from Washington State Ferries.

Murray, Larsen, and Moseley will also discuss the bill in a conference call following the press conference.

The U.S. Ferry Systems Investment Act of 2009 would invest $200 million a year in funding for ferry systems across the country starting in Fiscal Year 2010, and running through Fiscal Year 2015.

The press conference is at 11:45 a.m. PST at the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C. More details will follow after the press conference.