Bill · S. 4274· Senate(119-S-4274)
WINGS Act
- Introduced
- 3/26/2026
- Last activity
- 3/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Tim Sheehy
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Wildfire Investment and Next Generation Stewardship Act" (WINGS Act) allows the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer ownership of certain aircraft and parts to the authorized users who have borrowed them through the Federal Excess Personal Property program. To be eligible, users must be in good standing and have held the property for a specific amount of time. This is intended to help State and local agencies that use these assets for wildland and rural firefighting. The bill aims to reduce administrative burdens and recognize the investment these agencies have made in maintaining the equipment.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
Improves emergency response and fire suppression capabilities in rural areas.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
Strengthens emergency response and wildfire suppression capabilities for state and local agencies.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+5
Transfers ownership of federal property to state and local governments, increasing their autonomy and asset control.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
Actually decreases federal control by transferring ownership of assets to state/local entities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Asset Management: By transferring titles to agencies that have invested in and maintained the equipment, the bill reduces administrative burdens and solves planning difficulties caused by ownership uncertainty (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Support for Firefighting: The program specifically supports the use of aircraft for public purposes such as wildland fire suppression, emergency response, and public safety missions (Section 3(e)(1)(A)(i)).
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Recognition of Local Investment: The act recognizes the substantial investment State and local agencies have made in operating and maintaining these aircraft and parts (Section 2(a)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Use and Sale: Authorized users may be forced to agree to conditions that prevent them from selling, leasing, or exporting the aircraft or parts for up to 5 years after the transfer (Section 3(e)(1)(C)).
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Limitations on Commercial Use: For up to 3 years after transfer, users may be prohibited from using serviceable aircraft parts for commercial resale or distribution without written consent from the Secretary (Section 3(e)(1)(B)(ii)).
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Ongoing Reporting Burdens: Users may be required to maintain and provide records regarding the use and disposition of the assets to the Secretary for up to 5 years (Section 3(e)(1)(D)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections+3Improves Public Land Management+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Farmers+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+5Increases Federal Power-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+1Reduces Government Spending+1
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California