Congressional Legislation · bill 119s4161 · built from our database

Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)

Maverick Act

S. 4161 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S. 4161119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 03/23/2026SEN. SHEEHYR-MT · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: no (Sponsor Ranking)Right: DW-NOMINATE +0.64 (Sponsor Ranking)RIGHT(SPONSOR RANKING)ARMED FORCES AND NATIONAL SECURITY

2 members · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 1 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorSen. Sheehy, Tim (R-MT) (Introduced 03/23/2026)
Sponsor Voting RecordRight · DW-NOMINATE +0.64 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 2 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Armed Services Committee; Senate - Armed Services Committee
Latest Action05/04/2026 Held at the desk.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Passed Senate (04/28/2026)

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.

Text (2)

Engrossed in Senate (ES)

119 S4161 ES: Maverick Act U.S. Senate text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. 119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4161IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo 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.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Maverick Act.2.Conveyance of F–14D Tomcat aircraft from the Navy to the U.S. Space and rocket center commission in Huntsville, Alabama(a)AuthorityThe 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 conveyanceThe conveyance under subsection (a) shall be made by means of a conditional deed of gift.(c)Condition of aircraftThe 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)ConditionsThe 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 operationThe 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 conditionsThe 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 StatesThe 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 liabilityNotwithstanding 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 lawThe 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.Secretary

Introduced in Senate (IS)

119 S4161 IS: Maverick Act U.S. Senate 2026-03-23 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4161IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 23, 2026Mr. Sheehy (for himself and Mr. Kelly) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo 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.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Maverick Act.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 conveyanceThe conveyance under subsection (a) shall be made by means of a conditional deed of gift.(c)Condition of aircraftThe 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)ConditionsThe 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 shall 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 is from existing Navy stock, with no items being procured 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 operationThe 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 conditionsThe 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 StatesThe 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 liabilityNotwithstanding 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 lawThe 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).

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (10)

DateChamberAll Actions
03/23/2026Library of CongressIntroduced in Senate
03/23/2026SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
04/28/2026Library of CongressSenate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.
04/28/2026SenateSenate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.
04/28/2026SenateMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2075)
04/28/2026Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
04/28/2026SenatePassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2075)
05/01/2026SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
05/04/2026House floor actionsReceived in the House.
05/04/2026House floor actionsHeld at the desk.

Titles (4)

Title TypeTitle
Display TitleMaverick Act
Short Title(s) as Passed SenateMaverick Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedMaverick Act
Official Title as IntroducedA bill 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.

Amendments (1)

AmendmentSponsorPurposeLatest Action
SAMDT 5437Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]To clarify the provision of excess spare parts to the Commission.04/28/2026 Amendment SA 5437 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Cosponsors (1)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (2)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Armed Services Committee04/28/2026 Discharged From
Senate - Armed Services Committee03/23/2026 Referred To

Related Bills (1)

Subjects (4)

Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security

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