119 S2351 RS: Space Exploration Research Act U.S. Senate 2026-04-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IICalendar No. 369119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2351[Report No. 119–117]IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 17, 2025Mr. Cruz (for himself, Mr. Padilla, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Luján, Mr. Schiff, and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationApril 13, 2026Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendmentStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicA BILLTo supplement existing lease authorities available to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to support research, education, and training, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Space Exploration Research Act.

2.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration supplemental lease authority

(a)

Supplemental lease authority

(1)

In general

The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (referred to in this Act as the Administrator) may, using existing lease authorities available to the Administrator and on such terms as the Administrator considers appropriate, lease, for a term not to exceed 99 years, real property under the jurisdiction of the Administrator to 1 or more entities described in subsection (c) for the purpose of the construction and operation on such real property of 1 or more facilities the purposes of which shall be—(A)to conduct aeronautical and space research;(B)to educate and train individuals for careers in the space industry;(C)to carry out the transfer of aeronautical and space technology between the United States public and domestic private sectors;(D)to conduct scientific, engineering, medical, or academic activities; and(E)to conduct any other space-related activity.(2)

Renewal

The Administrator may renew a lease under this subsection for 1 or more additional periods.(b)

Administrative, maintenance, and instructional support

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator may—(1)enter into 1 or more agreements, on such terms as the Administrator considers appropriate, with 1 or more entities described in subsection (c) to lease back real property described in subsection (a), including such real property that has been—(A)leased to a private entity under other lease authority available to the Administrator; and(B)subleased to an entity described in subsection (c);(2)enter into 1 or more contracts, grant agreements, cooperative agreements, or other authorized transactions with an entity described in subsection (c) with respect to such property; and(3)provide administrative, maintenance, instructional, and other appropriate support, with or without reimbursement, to the 1 or more facilities described in subsection (a).(c)

Entities described

An entity described in this subsection is—(1)the State in which the real property described in subsection (a) is located;(2)a subdivision, agent, or agency of such a State;(3)a corporation or foundation organized exclusively for education or scientific purposes that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)); and(4)an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).(d)

Delegation

The Administrator may delegate the authorities under subsections (a) and (b) to subordinate officers and employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as the Administrator considers appropriate.(e)

Effect of other law

The authority provided by this section shall apply—(1)regardless of the existing authority used by the Administrator to lease the real property described in subsection (a); and(2)notwithstanding any provision of—(A)section 1302 of title 40, United States Code;(B)section 20145 of title 51, United States Code; or(C)section 306121 of title 54, United States Code.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Space Exploration Research Act.

2.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration supplemental lease authority

(a)

Supplemental lease authority

(1)

In general

The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (referred to in this Act as the Administrator) may, using existing lease authorities available to the Administrator and on such terms as the Administrator considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States, lease, for a term not to exceed 50 years, real property under the jurisdiction of the Administrator to 1 or more entities described in subsection (c) for the purpose of the construction and operation on such real property of 1 or more facilities the purposes of which shall be—(A)to conduct aeronautical and space research;(B)to educate and train individuals for careers in the space industry;(C)to carry out the transfer of aeronautical and space technology between the United States public and domestic private sectors;(D)to conduct space-related and aeronautics-related scientific, engineering, medical, or academic activities; and(E)to conduct any other space-related activity relevant to the mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.(2)

Renewal

The Administrator may renew a lease under this subsection for 1 or more additional periods.(b)

Administrative, maintenance, and instructional support

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator may—(1)enter into 1 or more agreements, on such terms as the Administrator considers appropriate, with 1 or more entities described in subsection (c) to lease back real property described in subsection (a), including such real property that has been subleased to a third party by an entity described in subsection (c);(2)enter into 1 or more contracts, grant agreements, cooperative agreements, or other authorized transactions with an entity described in subsection (c) with respect to such property; and(3)provide administrative, instructional, and other appropriate support, with or without reimbursement, to the 1 or more entities described in subsection (c) that are a party to such a contract, agreement, or transaction.(c)

Entities described

An entity described in this subsection is—(1)the State in which the real property described in subsection (a) is located;(2)a subdivision, agent, or agency of such a State;(3)a corporation or foundation organized exclusively for education or scientific purposes that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)); and(4)an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).(d)

Delegation

The Administrator may delegate the authorities under subsections (a) and (b) to subordinate officers and employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as the Administrator considers appropriate.(e)

Effect of other law

The authority provided by this section shall apply—(1)regardless of the existing authority used by the Administrator to lease the real property described in subsection (a) to entities described in subsection (c); and(2)notwithstanding—(A)section 1302 of title 40, United States Code; (B)subsection (b)(1) and (e)(1) of section 20145 of title 51, United States Code; or(C)section 306121 of title 54, United States Code.(f)

Annual report

Not later than January 31 each year, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following:(1)

Mission relevance

Information that explains the importance of each lease and leaseback agreement to the accomplishment of 1 or more mission requirements of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.(2)

Value of arrangements and expenditures of revenues

Information that identifies and quantifies the value of the arrangements and expenditures of revenues received under this section.(3)

Availability and use of funds for operating plan

The availability and use of funds received under this section for the Administration's operating plan.(4)

Annual and cumulative number of leases

The annual and cumulative number of leases entered into under this section, by National Aeronautics and Space Administration center and facility.(5)

Estimated cost savings

For each active lease agreement under this section, the estimated cost savings to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration resulting from reduced maintenance, operating, and associated costs in the previous fiscal year.(6)

Other quantifiable benefits

Other quantifiable benefits, including additional cost savings not included under paragraph (4), to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration resulting from the use of leases under this section.

April 13, 2026Reported with an amendment