H.R. 477

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 477 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 477

To advance scientific research and technology development of hypersonic 
vehicles, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 16, 2025

Mr. Fong (for himself and Mr. Mullin) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To advance scientific research and technology development of hypersonic 
vehicles, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Making Advancements in Commercial 
Hypersonics Act'' or the ``MACH Act''.

SEC. 2. MAKING ADVANCEMENTS IN COMMERCIAL HYPERSONICS PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--In conducting hypersonics research pursuant to 
section 40112(d) of title 51, United States Code, the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (in this section 
referred to as the ``Administrator'') may establish the Making 
Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics Program (in this section 
referred to as the ``Program'') to facilitate opportunities for testing 
of high-speed aircraft and other technologies that advance scientific 
research and technology development related to hypersonic aircraft.
(b) Limitation.--The Program may not fund the development of 
technologies that are supported by the testing described in subsection 
(a).
(c) Strategic Plan.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, acting through the 
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, shall develop a strategic 
plan for activities under subsection (a) that aligns with the 
hypersonic research roadmap required under section 603 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 
2017 (Public Law 115-10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note).
(d) Coordination, Consultation, and Collaboration.--
(1) Coordination.--The Administrator shall ensure 
coordination between the Aeronautics Research Mission 
Directorate and other Mission Directorates, as appropriate, to 
identify technologies eligible for testing opportunities under 
the Program.
(2) Consultation; collaboration.--The Administrator shall 
consult and seek to collaborate, as appropriate, with the 
Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration on activities related to the Program, 
including development, testing, and evaluation of high-speed 
aircraft and related technologies.
(e) Report.--The Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Armed Services of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate--
(1) not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, a report that--
(A) describes activities of the Program; and
(B) includes the strategic plan required under 
subsection (c); and
(2) not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act and annually thereafter, a report describing 
progress in carrying out the Program, including regarding the 
number and type of testing opportunities carried out in the 
previous fiscal year and planned for the upcoming fiscal year.
(f) Research Security.--Nothing in this section authorizes the 
Administrator to develop, implement, or execute an agreement related to 
technologies under this section with any entity of concern, a foreign 
business entity, or a foreign country of concern.
(g) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) Entity of concern.--The term ``entity of concern'' has 
the meaning given such term in section 10114 of the Research 
and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Public Law 
117-167; 42 U.S.C. 18912).
(2) Foreign business entity.--The term ``foreign business 
entity'' means an entity that is majority-owned or majority-
controlled (as such term is defined in section 800.208 of title 
31, Code of Federal Regulations, or a successor regulation), or 
minority owned greater than 25 percent by--
(A) any governmental organization of a foreign 
country of concern; or
(B) any other entity that is--
(i) known to be owned or controlled by any 
governmental organization of a foreign country 
of concern; or
(ii) organized under, or otherwise subject 
to, the laws of a foreign country of concern.
(3) Foreign country of concern.--The term ``foreign country 
of concern'' has the meaning given such term in section 9901 of 
title XCIX of division H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 
U.S.C. 4651).
(4) High-speed aircraft.--The term ``high-speed aircraft'' 
has the meaning given such term in section 1009 of the Federal 
Aviation Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63; 49 
U.S.C. 44701 note).
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