119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 8331

Maverick Act

Introduced

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

The Maverick Act authorizes the U.S. Navy to donate three F-14D Tomcat fighter aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. The transfer will be made as a conditional gift without cost to the government, subject to specific conditions regarding their use, maintenance, and potential reversion to the United States if regulations are violated. The aircraft will be restricted to display or commemorative events and must comply with FAA regulations.

Key provisions

The Navy will donate three F-14D Tomcat aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission.
The transfer will be made as a conditional gift without cost to the U.S. government.
The aircraft must be used only for display, airshows, or commemorative events.
The aircraft must comply with all applicable FAA regulations.
The Secretary of the Navy retains the right to reclaim the aircraft if conditions are violated.
The United States is not liable for any damage or injury resulting from the aircraft's use by others.
The transfer is subject to various federal laws and regulations, including export control laws.
The Secretary can authorize agreements with nonprofit organizations for aircraft restoration.

Who is affected

U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission
U.S. Navy
Federal Aviation Administration
Nonprofit Organizations (potentially)
General Public (through access to displays)

Positions across the country

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Legislative history

2026-04-16House

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

2026-04-16

Introduced in House

2026-04-16

Introduced in House

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Apr 16, 2026XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 2d Session

H. R. 8331

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To authorize the conveyance by the Secretary of the Navy to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama, of certain F–14D Tomcat aircraft, and for other purposes.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Maverick Act

of 2026.

2.Conveyance of certain F–14D Tomcat aircraft to U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama

(a)AuthorityThe Secretary of the Navy 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 the following:

(1)

F–14D Tomcat aircraft (Bureau Number 163283).

(2)F–14D Tomcat aircraft (Bureau Number 164602).

(3)F–14D Tomcat aircraft (Bureau Number 159437).

(b)GiftAny conveyance under subsection (a) shall be made by means of a conditional deed of gift.

(c)Conveyance at no cost to the United States

Any conveyance 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.

(d)Condition of aircraft to be conveyed

(1)As-is conditionThe Secretary may not be required to repair or alter the condition of any aircraft prior to conveying such aircraft under subsection (a).

(2)Manuals; certain spare parts and equipmentIf the Secretary elects to convey to the Commission the aircraft under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, prior to such conveyance, provide to the Commission—

(A)

any operations manuals of the Department of Defense or the Navy specific to the F–14D Tomcat aircraft; and

(B)

such excess spare parts or equipment from stocks of the Navy as the Secretary determines necessary to restore such aircraft, or operate or display such aircraft once restored, for a use specified in subsection (e)(2).

(3)No obligation to provide other supportThe Secretary may not be required to provide any spare part, equipment, manual, or other form of support not specified in paragraph (2)(B) as a result of or in connection with a conveyance authorized under subsection (a).

(4)Agreements for restoration and operationThe Secretary may authorize the Commission to enter into one or more agreements with a qualified nonprofit organization for the purpose of restoring the aircraft conveyed under subsection (a) for a use specified in subsection (e)(2).

(e)Terms and conditionsThe Secretary shall require that any conveyance of aircraft under subsection (a) be carried out by means of an instrument of conveyance that includes, at a minimum, the following:

(1)A condition that such aircraft do not possess any capability for use as a platform for launching or releasing munitions or any other combat capability, as determined by the Secretary.

(2)A condition that the Commission may only use such aircraft for display or operation in a public static display, an airshow, or a commemorative event to preserve United States naval aviation heritage.

(3)A condition that the Commission shall operate and maintain such aircraft in compliance with all applicable limitations and maintenance requirements imposed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

(4)A condition that, if the Secretary determines at any time that the Commission has conveyed an ownership interest in, or transferred possession of, such aircraft to any party without the prior approval of the Secretary or has violated a condition specified in paragraph (2) or (3), 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.

(5)Such other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States, which may include requirements for demilitarization and indemnification and may restrict further disposition or use.

(f)Clarification of liabilityNotwithstanding any other provision of law, upon the conveyance to the Commission of interests in the aircraft under subsection (a), the United States may 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.

(g)Applicable lawThe conveyance of an aircraft under subsection (a), and the use of such aircraft following such conveyance, shall be subject to all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, including the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.), the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.), chapter 37 of title 18, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Espionage Act), the regulations set forth in subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations), subchapter C of chapter VII of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the Export Administration Regulations), and chapter V of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the Foreign Assets Control Regulations).

HR 8331

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