USMMA Athletics Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a New York nonprofit to support United States Merchant Marine Academy athletics. It would let the Secretary of Transportation establish and oversee a 501(c)(3) corporation that can raise and keep private gifts, licensing fees, and sponsorship revenue to support USMMA sports and recruiting.
Show full summary
- Students and teams: More private funding, licensing fees, and sponsorship income may be available for team operations and recruiting. Donations and licensing revenue retained by the program would be available until expended.
- Secretary and DOT staff: The Secretary could form the corporation and place DOT employees on its board, but DOT staff may not exceed one-third of directors and board members get only limited travel-related pay. The Secretary may lease academy property for up to five years, transfer non-real property assets to the corporation, and provide support services without creating U.S. liability.
- Sponsors and partners: The corporation may enter licensing, marketing, and sponsorship deals for USMMA trademarks with Secretary approval. It can accept funds from entities like the NCAA, athletic conferences, game guarantees, and ticketing, subject to limits meant to protect DOT integrity.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Allow donations and licensing revenue
This bill would let the Secretary accept donations, supplies, and services for USMMA athletics, including funds from the NCAA, conferences, game guarantees, and ticketing or licensing fees. The Secretary could transfer nonreal property assets of a DOT athletics fund to the nonprofit if the nonprofit accepts them. The Secretary would be able to license USMMA trademarks and keep fees to pay trademark and licensing costs, and extra fees in a year could be used for USMMA recruiting. Funds kept under these rules would remain available until spent.
Leases, services, and faster contracting
This bill would let the Secretary lease USMMA real property to the nonprofit for up to 5 years if the property is not needed immediately. Lease proceeds would be kept and spent for athletics as the bill allows. The Secretary could provide support services like utilities, office equipment, communications, records staging, audio/video, and security when essential to support athletics. The Secretary could also enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the nonprofit and use sole-source contracting or cooperative agreements to buy property, services, or travel for the Academy, subject to other statutory limits.
New nonprofit to support USMMA athletics
This bill would let the Secretary of Transportation create a New York nonprofit 501(c)(3) to support USMMA athletics. The United States would own all stock, and the Secretary would vote it. Board members would serve without pay except for reasonable travel and related meeting expenses. DOT employees could serve for oversight but could not hold more than one-third of director seats or handle day-to-day operations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
NY • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
GA • R
Sponsored 3/9/2026
McDowell
NC • R
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov