USMMA Athletics Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6961
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T18:26:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The USMMA Athletics Act of 2026 aims to enhance and sustain the athletic programs at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), a federal service academy under the Department of Transportation (DOT). It creates mechanisms for financial and operational support, including a dedicated nonprofit corporation, to promote athletic activities without relying solely on government appropriations.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of a Supporting Corporation:
- The Secretary of Transportation may create a nonprofit corporation under New York state law and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (which allows tax-exempt status for charitable and educational organizations).
- The U.S. government owns all stock, held and voted by the Secretary.
- The corporation's sole focus is supporting USMMA's athletic programs through charitable, educational, and civic activities.
- Governance and Board Structure:
- The board of directors serves without pay, except for reasonable travel expenses.
- Up to one-third of board members can be DOT employees, acting in an official capacity for oversight and advice, but not in day-to-day operations.
- Contracts, Agreements, and Acquisitions:
- The Secretary can enter the corporation into contracts or cooperative agreements (formal partnerships) to support athletics.
- These can be "sole-source" (awarded without competitive bidding) under certain federal rules.
- Such agreements allow acquiring property, services, or travel directly benefiting USMMA.
- Property Leases:
- The Secretary, in consultation with the General Services Administration (which manages federal properties), can lease USMMA real estate to the corporation for up to 5 years if not needed immediately by the academy.
- Lease proceeds must be retained and used solely for athletic programs.
- Support Services and Transfers:
- DOT may provide essential services (e.g., utilities, office equipment, security) to the corporation during its activities at USMMA, but this creates no financial liability for the U.S.
- The Secretary can transfer assets (e.g., equipment, funds) from DOT's nonappropriated fund operations (self-sustaining activities not funded by taxpayer dollars) to the corporation, excluding real property.
- Acceptance of Funds and Resources:
- The Secretary can accept funds, supplies, or services from the corporation, as well as from external sources like the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), athletic conferences, ticket sales, or game guarantees.
- Corporation employees are not considered federal employees.
- All contributions must avoid any appearance of bias or conflict with DOT's fair operations.
- Trademarks and Licensing:
- The corporation can enter licensing, marketing, or sponsorship deals for USMMA trademarks and service marks (protected brand identifiers), with Secretary approval.
- Deals must not compromise DOT's integrity.
- Funds from these activities are retained and available indefinitely for athletic support.
- Fund Retention:
- All funds received under this act remain available until spent, specifically for USMMA athletics.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 109(h) of Title 49, United States Code (which governs USMMA operations):
- Expands the Secretary's authority to license USMMA trademarks and service marks.
- Allows retention and use of licensing fees for program costs and academy recruiting (beyond just basic operations).
- Requires designating specific marks for this purpose and defines "trademark" and "service mark" per federal trademark law (unique symbols or names identifying goods/services).
- Overrides certain federal procurement rules (e.g., competitive bidding requirements) and anti-gift statutes to enable flexible support.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DOT gains tools to bolster USMMA athletics without new taxpayer funding, potentially reducing administrative burdens through the corporation. It may increase oversight responsibilities to ensure ethical use of funds and properties.
- On Citizens: USMMA students and cadets (future merchant marine officers) could benefit from improved athletic facilities, recruitment, and programs, enhancing academy morale and appeal. Taxpayers avoid direct costs, as support comes from private or retained sources.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though stronger USMMA athletics could indirectly support maritime training, which aids U.S. global shipping and defense interests.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Transportation and USMMA: Primary beneficiaries and overseers, including the Secretary, academy administrators, and staff.
- The Established Corporation: New entity to manage athletic support, involving board members (including potential DOT employees) and its personnel.
- External Partners: NCAA, athletic conferences, sponsors, donors, and other educational institutions providing funds or competing with USMMA.
- Cadets and Students: Direct users of enhanced athletic programs, potentially aiding recruitment and well-being.
- General Public/Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through efficient use of federal assets without additional appropriations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Provides waivers from standard federal contracting and gift-acceptance rules (e.g., under Titles 31 and 41 of the U.S. Code), promoting efficiency but requiring strict conflict-of-interest safeguards to maintain government integrity. The nonprofit structure ensures tax benefits while keeping U.S. ownership.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal academies and spending (Article I, Section 8), without raising separation-of-powers issues as it empowers the executive branch (Secretary) under congressional guidelines.
- Political: Could face scrutiny over blending public assets with private-like operations, but emphasizes nonpartisan support for a key national security asset (merchant marine). It signals congressional priority on service academy vitality amid budget constraints, potentially setting a model for other federal institutions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-01-07: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- USMMA Athletics Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-07 — PDF (10 pages)