S. 4161

[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.