The USMMA Athletics Act of 2026 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish a nonprofit corporation to support athletic programs at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The corporation would be owned entirely by the federal government and governed by a board of directors that serves without pay (except for travel expenses), with Department of Transportation employees limited to holding no more than one-third of board positions. The bill allows the Secretary to enter contracts, lease academy property to the corporation for up to five years, transfer existing academy athletic fund assets to the corporation, and accept donations and sponsorship funds from sources including the NCAA and collegiate athletic conferences. The corporation would be permitted to license academy trademarks and service marks to generate revenue, with all funds retained for athletic program support and subject to safeguards ensuring the arrangements do not compromise the department's integrity or fairness. The bill also amends existing law to clarify the Secretary's authority to license USMMA trademarks and retain licensing fees for program costs and recruiting activities.
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