S. 4274 — WINGS Act

This section states congressional findings on the Federal Excess Personal Property program, under which the Forest Service has loaned excess Department of Defense aircraft and parts to state foresters for wildland and rural firefighting since 1956, noting their successful use for periods often exceeding 10 years and the operational challenges posed by ownership uncertainty. The section declares the purpose of the Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer title to such aircraft and serviceable parts to authorized users demonstrating responsible stewardship over a sustained period.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer all U.S. right, title, and interest in aircraft or serviceable aircraft parts—provided under the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program—to eligible state, local, or other firefighting entities (authorized users), notwithstanding laws retaining federal title. (The FEPP program loans surplus federal fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft and parts to such entities for wildland or rural firefighting.) Transfers require the authorized user to be in good standing (i.e., compliant with program rules, reporting, maintenance, and not under enforcement) and meet possession thresholds: (1) for aircraft, continuous possession for at least 10 years from initial receipt under FEPP; or (2) for serviceable parts, continuous possession for at least 5 years from receipt, or receipt in support of an aircraft possessed for at least 10 years. Transfers must not conflict with original federal furnishing conditions or national security/export controls (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense as appropriate) and are subject to any conditions imposed by the Secretary.