WINGS Act

Bill Number

S. 4274

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Last Updated

2026-04-21T14:33:51Z

AI-Generated Summary

Wildfire Investment and Next Generation Stewardship Act (WINGS Act) - S. 4274

Purpose

The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to permanently transfer ownership (title) of certain aircraft and related parts—loaned through the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program—to state and local firefighting agencies after a period of responsible use. This recognizes the agencies' investments in maintenance and aims to reduce ownership uncertainties that hinder operations.

Key Provisions

• Definitions:
• Aircraft: Fixed-wing or rotary-wing planes, including equipment, loaned via FEPP for wildland/rural firefighting.
• Authorized user: States, local governments, or eligible entities receiving these items.
• Serviceable aircraft part: Usable components or spares (installed or not) that are functional or restorable.
• Good standing: Compliance with laws, reporting, no misuse, accurate records, and no enforcement actions.
• Transfer Authority: Secretary can transfer full U.S. ownership to users meeting criteria, overriding prior title-retention laws.
• Eligibility:

| Item | Possession Period | Other Requirements | |------|-------------------|--------------------| | Aircraft | 10 continuous years | Good standing; no conflicts with original federal conditions or security/export rules. | | Parts | 5 years, or 10 years if supporting a qualifying aircraft | Good standing; accurate inventory records; no conflicts. |

• Conditions on Transfers (up to 5 years post-transfer, modifiable/waivable):
• Continued public use (e.g., firefighting, emergencies).
• No sale, lease, export, or disposal without Secretary's consent.
• Record-keeping and reporting.
• Application Process: Users submit documentation; Secretary decides within 180 days, providing denial reasons and cure options.
• Regulations: Secretary must issue rules within 18 months on criteria, inventories, and safeguards (coordinating with DoD if needed).
• Rule of Construction: Does not limit other Secretary powers (e.g., reclaiming property) or affect original federal transfers.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Overrides laws requiring the U.S. to retain title to FEPP-loaned property.
• Introduces first-time permanent transfer option after proven use, shifting from indefinite loans to ownership.
• Adds structured "good standing" tests, timelines, and post-transfer restrictions not previously specified.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Reduces USDA/Forest Service administrative burdens (e.g., tracking aged assets); streamlines asset management.
• Citizens: Enhances state/local wildfire response by allowing better planning and investment in equipment, potentially protecting lives, property, and resources more effectively.
• International Relations: Minimal; includes export control checks to prevent sensitive tech transfers.
• No direct fiscal costs outlined; focuses on efficiency.

Main Stakeholders

• Primary: Secretary of Agriculture, USDA/Forest Service (administrators); state foresters and local firefighting agencies (users).
• Secondary: Department of Defense (original property source); other federal agencies for security reviews.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Balances property transfer flexibility with safeguards (e.g., national security consultations, conditions), preserving federal oversight; explicitly avoids conflicting with export/national security laws.
• Constitutional: None highlighted; aligns with Congress's spending/property powers.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Sens. Sheehy and Padilla); supports wildfire management amid growing fire risks, potentially aiding rural communities without controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
• 2026-03-26: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Wildfire Investment and Next Generation Stewardship Act — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (15 pages)