Maverick Act

Tim Sheehy

Republican · MT · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Mark Kelly (D-AZ)Original· 2026-03-23

Held at the desk.

2026-05-04

Source: Congress.gov

Maverick Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Navy to transfer three surplus F-14D Tomcat aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. (The F-14D Tomcat was a naval fighter aircraft that was retired from service in 2006.) The bill provides for certain conditions for the transfer, including that the transfer must be free of cost to the federal government. Additionally, the commission must not convey ownership interest in the aircraft to another party without Navy approval. If the commission breaches any conditions, the aircraft must revert to the United States. The bill also specifies that such aircraft may not have any combat capability. The Navy may provide excess spare parts to the commission to make one of the aircraft flyable or complete for a static display. The Navy may authorize the commission to enter into agreements with qualified nonprofit organizations to restore and operate the aircraft for public display, air shows, and commemorative events.

Plain-English rewrite of the Congressional Research Service summary published on Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4161 Engrossed in Senate (ES)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4161 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To authorize the transfer by the Secretary of the Navy to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama, of certain F-14 Tomcat aircraft. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Maverick Act''. SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF F-14D TOMCAT AIRCRAFT FROM THE NAVY TO THE U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER COMMISSION IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA. (a) Authority.--The Secretary of the Navy (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') may convey, without consideration, to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama (in this section referred to as the ``Commission''), all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 3 surplus F-14D Tomcat aircraft (Bureau Numbers 164341, 164602, 159437), which are excess to the operational requirements of the Navy. (b) Form of Conveyance.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be made by means of a conditional deed of gift. (c) Condition of Aircraft.--The aircraft being conveyed under subsection (a) do not have any capability for use as a platform for launching or releasing munitions or any other combat capability that it was designed to have. (d) Conditions.--The Secretary shall include in the instrument of conveyance of the aircraft under subsection (a)-- (1) a condition that the Secretary is not required to repair or alter the condition of the aircraft before conveying ownership of the aircraft; (2) a condition that the Secretary shall provide any maintenance and operations manuals that-- (A) are specific to the F-14D aircraft; and (B) the Secretary has sufficient intellectual property rights to convey; (3) a condition that the Secretary may provide excess spare parts to make one of the F-14D aircraft flyable or able to complete a static display, provided that any part transferred from existing Navy stock is replenished at fair market value by the Commission, with no items being procured by the Secretary on behalf of the Commission; and (4) a condition that the Secretary will not be responsible for transferring any additional parts or providing any additional support beyond what is stated in this section, during or after the conveyance of the aircraft. (e) Agreements for Restoration and Operation.--The Secretary may-- (1) authorize the Commission to enter into agreements with qualified nonprofit organizations for the purpose of restoring and operating the aircraft transferred under subsection (a) for public display, airshows, and commemorative events to preserve naval aviation heritage; and (2) if the Secretary authorizes any such agreement, require such additional terms and conditions in the instrument of conveyance as appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. (f) Reverter Upon Breach of Conditions.--The Secretary shall include in the instrument of conveyance of the aircraft under subsection (a)-- (1) a condition that the Commission shall operate and maintain the aircraft in compliance with all applicable limitations and maintenance requirements imposed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; (2) a condition that the Commission shall not convey any ownership interest in, or transfer possession of, the aircraft to another party without the prior approval of the Secretary; and (3) a condition that if the Secretary determines at any time that the Commission has failed to comply with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2), all right, title, and interest in and to the aircraft, including any repair or alteration of the aircraft, shall revert to the United…

States, and the United States shall have the right of immediate possession of the aircraft. (g) Conveyance at No Cost to the United States.--The conveyance of an aircraft under subsection (a) shall be made at no cost to the United States. Any costs associated with such conveyance, costs of determining compliance with terms of the conveyance, and costs of operation and maintenance of the aircraft conveyed shall be borne by the Commission. (h) Clarification of Liability.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon the conveyance of ownership of the aircraft under subsection (a), the United States shall not be liable for any death, injury, loss, or damage that results from any use of such aircraft by any person other than the United States. (i) Applicable Law.--The transfer and use of the aircraft under subsection (a) is subject to all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, including-- (1) the Arms Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.); (2) the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4811 et seq.); (3) International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR 120 et seq.); (4) Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 730 et seq.); (5) Foreign Assets Control Regulations (31 CFR 500 et seq.); and (6) chapter 37 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Espionage Act''). Passed the Senate April 28, 2026. Attest: Secretary. 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4161 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To authorize the transfer by the Secretary of the Navy to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama, of certain F-14 Tomcat aircraft.

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