S. 4375

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4375 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4375

To amend title 37, United States Code, to require the payment of the 
maximum amount of aviation incentive pay to aviation officers with more 
than 8 years of aviation service and to enhance the retention 
incentives available to aviation officers.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 22, 2026

Mr. Budd (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. King, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Sheehy, 
Mr. Rounds, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Kaine) introduced the following bill; 
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title 37, United States Code, to require the payment of the 
maximum amount of aviation incentive pay to aviation officers with more 
than 8 years of aviation service and to enhance the retention 
incentives available to aviation officers.

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 ``Retention Enhancements for Tactical 
Aircrew INitiative Act of 2026'' or the ``RETAIN Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. PAYMENT OF MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY TO OFFICERS 
WITH MORE THAN 8 YEARS OF AVIATION SERVICE.

Section 334(c) of title 37, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``subject to 
paragraph (5),'' before ``aviation incentive''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) Maximum amount for officers with more than 8 years of 
aviation service.--An officer who is entitled to aviation 
incentive pay under subsection (a) and has completed more than 
8 years of aviation service shall receive the maximum monthly 
amount of such pay under paragraph (1)(A).''.

SEC. 3. ENHANCEMENT OF AIR FORCE RATED OFFICER RETENTION DEMONSTRATION 
PROGRAM.

(a) Eligible Officers.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 604 of the 
James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 
(Public Law 117-263; 37 U.S.C. 301b note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and not less than one year''; and
(2) by striking ``under section 653 of title 10, United 
States Code''.
(b) Written Agreements.--Subsection (c)(1) of such section is 
amended--
(1) by striking ``four years'' and inserting ``one year''; 
and
(2) by striking ``under section 653 of title 10, United 
States Code''.
(c) Retention Incentives.--Subsection (d) of such section is 
amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following 
new paragraph (1):
``(1) Flexibility of assignment and duty locations.--Under 
the demonstration program required under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall offer to a rated officer described in 
subsection (b), to the maximum extent practicable (as 
determined by the Secretary)--
``(A) assignment to the duty location of the rated 
officer's preference, including consecutive assignments 
to the same duty location;
``(B) the opportunity to perform a staff assignment 
that does not require flying remotely, such that the 
officer may avoid relocation or remain in active flying 
status; and
``(C) the opportunity to transition indefinitely to 
a non-combat aviation service position.'';
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
new paragraph (2):
``(2) Aviation bonus.--
``(A) In general.--Under the demonstration program 
required under subsection (a), notwithstanding section 
334(c) of title 37, United States Code, the Secretary 
may pay to a rated officer described in subsection (b) 
an aviation bonus not to exceed an average annual 
amount of $100,000.
``(B) Payment of maximum amount.--The Secretary--
``(i) shall ensure the maximum amount 
payable under subparagraph (A) is offered to 
any rated officer described in subsection (b) 
who executes a written agreement under 
subsection (c) to remain on active duty for one 
or more years after the completion of the 
active duty service obligation of the officer; 
and
``(ii) may not vary the amount of an 
aviation bonus offered to an officer based on 
the active duty service commitment the officer 
has remaining at the time of offer.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Aligning total force incentives.--The Secretary shall 
ensure that an offer under this subsection to a rated officer 
described in subsection (b) includes--
``(A) contract length options equal to or shorter 
than contract length options offered by the Air 
National Guard and the Air Force Reserve; and
``(B) an aviation bonus under paragraph (2) in an 
amount that is equal to or exceeds the amounts offered 
by the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.''.
(d) Extension of Demonstration Project.--Subsection (g) of such 
section is amended by striking ``2028'' and inserting ``2031''.
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