Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to set up a nonprofit corporation that supports athletic programs at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, letting the academy lease property and license its trademarks to help pay for them.

Official title: USMMA Athletics Act of 2026

Next stop House: awaiting action

Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions

House

Received 10-AUG-2026

Senate

Introduced 20-NOV-2025

Referred 20-NOV-2025

Approved by committee 12-FEB-2026

Reported 15-JUN-2026

On the calendar 15-JUN-2026

Passed 06-AUG-2026

Key points

Lets the Transportation Secretary create a nonprofit corporation under New York law, with stock owned by the United States, to support academy athletics.
Allows sole-source contracts, leases of academy property for up to 5 years, and transfers of assets from a department nonappropriated fund.
Permits the academy to accept funds from the NCAA, athletic conferences, and other schools, and to charge ticket and licensing fees.
Lets the department license academy trademarks and keep the fees for trademark registration, athletic programs, and recruiting.

AI-generated from the Engrossed in Senate text of 06-AUG-2026 · verify · report an error

Official CRS summary

No CRS summary yet. CRS writes one for most bills, often months after they move.

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Committee referrals (1)

Policy area

Transportation and Public Works

Sponsor Roger F. Wicker (R-MS) Cosponsors · 1

■ 1 D

1 Democrat