The Military Service Academy Foundation Act of 2019

To allow the Secretaries of the military departments to provide limited support to service academy supporting foundations. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the The Military Service Academy Foundation Act of 2019 2. Support of Military Service Academy foundations (a) Chapter 155 2616. Support of military service academy foundations (a) Authority (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary concerned may provide the following support to service academy supporting foundations: (A) Participation Official participation of any general or flag officer or Senior Executive Service employee assigned to a service academy, or official designated by the Secretary concerned. Participation under this subparagraph is limited to charitable fundraising activities and membership drives. (B) Endorsement Endorsement of supporting foundations, their events, and activities by those individuals who, under subparagraph (A), may officially participate in charitable fundraising or membership drives. (C) Logistical support Logistical support, provided without reimbursement, and limited to the use of Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security facilities and equipment (and the services of employees, necessary to make proper use of provided facilities or equipment), on a non-exclusive and non-interference basis, for an event or activity sponsored by the supporting foundation for the benefit of a service academy. (D) Trademarks and service marks Authorization to use any trademarks and service marks owned or controlled by the Secretary concerned for purposes of this section. (2) No liability of the United States Any support under paragraph (1) may only be provided without any liability of the United States to the supporting foundation. (b) Limitation The Secretary concerned shall ensure that support provided under subsection (a) does not— (1) reflect unfavorably on the ability of the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, their employees, or any member of the armed forces to carry out any responsibility or duty in a fair and objective manner; (2) compromise the integrity or appearance of integrity of any program of the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, or any individual involved in such a program; (3) conflict with the principles relating to gift solicitation, endorsement, and preferential treatment specified in section 2635 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, except as specifically authorized in subsection (a); or (4) utilize cadets or midshipmen to support the activities authorized in subsection (a). (c) Supporting foundations defined In this section, supporting foundations section 501(c)(3) . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 2616. Support of military service academy foundations. .

Summary: The Military Service Academy Foundation Act of 2019 This bill describes how the Department of Defense may support military service academy supporting foundations. It authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide the following types of support to service academy supporting foundations: (1) official participation of officers or Senior Executive Service employees, (2) endorsement of foundations and their activities, (3) logistical support, and (4) authorized use of trademarks and service marks. A "supporting foundation" is a tax-exempt charitable organization that operates exclusively to support recruiting; parent, alumni, academic, leadership, and character development; athletic programs; and institutional development of a service academy.