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S 4161

Maverick Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mark Kelly and 1 co-sponsor

The Maverick Act authorizes gifting three surplus F-14D Tomcat aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center for public display and potential restoration/operation under strict cond

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Bill Summary · S 4161

Summary of Bill S.4161 (Session 119): Maverick Act

Note: This summary reflects the text as provided and describes purposes, key provisions, who is affected, and timing/procedural aspects.

What the bill seeks to do

  • Authorizes the conditional conveyance, at no cost to the United States, of three surplus F-14D Tomcat aircraft from the Department of the Navy to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. The conveyance is intended for public display, restoration, and operation for commemorative and educational purposes, preserving naval aviation heritage.

Key provisions and changes

Conveyance details

  • Amount and recipients:
    • Three surplus F-14D Tomcat aircraft (Bureau Numbers 164341, 164602, 159437) to be conveyed “without consideration” to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission (the Commission).
  • Form of conveyance:
    • Conveyance to occur via a conditional deed of gift.
  • Condition of aircraft:
    • The aircraft being conveyed do not currently have capability for launching or releasing munitions or any other combat capability they were originally designed with.

Conditions attached to conveyance

  • The instrument of conveyance must include:
    1. No obligation on the Secretary to repair or restore the aircraft before conveying ownership.
    2. The Secretary must provide maintenance and operations manuals specific to the F-14D, to the extent the Navy has sufficient intellectual property rights to convey.
    3. The Secretary may provide excess spare parts to restore one aircraft to flight or static display, provided any parts transferred from Navy stock are replenished at fair market value by the Commission; no procurement of parts by the Secretary on behalf of the Commission.
    4. The Secretary will not be responsible for transferring additional parts or providing further support beyond the terms stated.

Restoration and operation agreements

  • The Secretary may authorize the Commission to:
    • Enter into agreements with qualified nonprofit organizations to restore and operate the transferred aircraft for public display, airshows, and commemorative events.
    • Impose additional terms in the conveyance instrument as needed to protect U.S. interests if such agreements are authorized.

Reverter and compliance conditions (breach implications)

  • The Commission must operate and maintain the aircraft in compliance with FAA limitations and maintenance requirements.
  • The Commission cannot convey ownership or transfer possession to another party without Secretary approval.
  • If the Secretary determines non-compliance with these conditions, all rights to the aircraft revert to the United States, and the U.S. would regain immediate possession (including any repair/alteration).

Financial and liability considerations

  • Cost to the United States:
    • The conveyance happens at no cost to the United States.
    • All costs related to conveyance, compliance, operation, and maintenance are borne by the Commission.
  • Liability clarification:
    • Upon conveyance, the United States shall not be liable for any death, injury, loss, or damage arising from the use of the aircraft by anyone other than the United States.

Applicable law and compliance

  • The transfer and subsequent use must comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including:
    • Arms Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.)
    • Export Control Reform Act (50 U.S.C. 4811 et seq.)
    • International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
    • Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
    • Foreign Assets Control Regulations (OFAC)
    • Espionage Act (18 U.S.C. Chapter 37)

Who would be affected

Primary party

  • U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission (Huntsville, Alabama) – recipient of the three aircraft and primary responsibility for restoration, display, and operation, subject to the specified conditions and ongoing costs.

Other stakeholders

  • United States Navy – retention of trademarked ownership terms, manuals, and potential constraints on parts/maintenance; no cost recovery from Commission.
  • Qualified nonprofit organizations (as designated by the Secretary) – potential partners for restoration and operation under terms approved in the conveyance.
  • General public – enhanced access to naval aviation heritage through restored aircraft displays and events.
  • Federal government – compliance with export controls and national security laws remains applicable to any restoration/operation arrangements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative history (highlights):
    • Introduced in Senate March 23, 2026.
    • Referred to the Committee on Armed Services; discharged by unanimous consent.
    • Passed the Senate with a unanimous-consent amendment on April 28, 2026.
    • Passed Senate and sent to House; message on action transmitted May 1, 2026.
  • Effective dates:
    • The bill’s operation would follow enactment and the execution of the conditional deed of gift and related agreements; specific dates are not provided in the text, but the conveyance would occur after the instrument of conveyance is executed and all conditions are satisfied.

Bottom line

The Maverick Act would enable the Navy to donate three surplus F-14D Tomcat aircraft to a Huntsville museum/heritage organization for permanent public display and potential restoration/operation by qualifying nonprofit groups, under strict conditions to maintain security, compliance with aviation and export laws, and ongoing costs borne by the Commission. The arrangement includes a rigorous reverter mechanism if conditions are breached.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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