H.R. 5447

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5447 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5447

To amend chapter 511 of title 51, United States Code, to modify the 
authority for space transportation infrastructure modernization grants, 
and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 17, 2025

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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend chapter 511 of title 51, United States Code, to modify the 
authority for space transportation infrastructure modernization grants, 
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 ``Spaceport Project Opportunities for 
Resilient Transportation Act'' or the ``SPACEPORT Act''.

SEC. 2. SPACE LAUNCH INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) Definitions.--Paragraph (5) of section 51101 of title 51, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(5) `public agency' means a State or an agency of a 
State, a political subdivision of a State, an airport 
authority, or a tax-support organization.''.
(b) Modification of Grant Authority.--Subsection (b) of section 
51102 of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Limitations.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make a project grant 
under this chapter only if the grant will not be for more than 
90 percent of the total cost of the project.
``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the application of 
paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is 
in the national interest.''.
(c) Eligibility Criteria.--Section 51103 of title 51, United States 
Code, is amended, in subsection (b)--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the United 
States Government's space transportation needs'' and 
inserting ``the civil, national security, and 
commercial space transportation needs of the United 
States'';
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
``contributions'' and inserting ``support''; and
(C) by amending subparagraph (F) to read as 
follows:
``(F) the impact of the project on launch and re-
entry operations and other activities at Government 
launch ranges, as needed.'';
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall develop 
specific criteria for evaluating and selecting proposed 
projects based on the considerations under paragraph (1).''; 
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) The Secretary of Transportation shall consult with 
the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of 
Commerce, and the heads of other appropriate agencies of the 
Government with respect to subparagraphs (A) and (F) of 
paragraph (1), as appropriate.''.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 
Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other appropriate 
agencies of the Government, shall submit to Congress a report 
that--
(A) evaluates the demand for space transportation 
services, including the civil, national security, and 
commercial space transportation needs of the United 
States and international commercial markets;
(B) provides legislative, regulatory, and policy 
recommendations to ensure robust and resilient space 
transportation capabilities in support of the national 
space policy;
(C) examines a range of long-term funding options 
and related considerations for space transportation 
infrastructure projects; and
(D) provides an assessment of international space 
transportation capabilities and investments, including 
recommendations for maintaining United States 
competitiveness and developing an international space 
transportation network.
(2) Updates.--Not later than 6 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and every 4 years thereafter, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall--
(A) update the report submitted under paragraph 
(1); and
(B) submit such updated report to Congress.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 51105 of title 51, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ``Not more than'' and all 
that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for 
each fiscal year not more than $10,000,000 to make grants under this 
chapter.''.
(f) Technical Amendments.--
(1) Chapter heading.--The heading of chapter 511 of title 
51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``CHAPTER 511--SPACE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION 
GRANTS''.

(2) Table of chapters.--The table of chapters at the 
beginning of title 51, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to chapter 511 and inserting the 
following:

``511. Space transportation infrastructure modernization 51101.''.
grants.
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