[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10464 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10464
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
December 17, 2024
Mr. Strong (for himself and Mr. Fong) 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, a public
corporation, or a tax-supported 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
80 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--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) 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'';
(ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``contributions'' and inserting ``support'';
and
(iii) by amending subparagraph (F) to read
as follows:
``(F) the impact of the project and launch or
reentry operations and other activities at Government
launch ranges, as needed.'';
(B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall develop specific
criteria for evaluating and selecting proposed projects based on the
considerations under paragraph (1).''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(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.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e) Funding of Program.--Activities carried out under this
section shall be funded only through appropriations approved by
Congress and not through user fees or other funds.''.
(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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