[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2888 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2888
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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 18 (legislative day, September 16), 2025
Mr. Hickenlooper introduced the following bill; which was read twice
and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
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-supported organization.''.
(b) Modification of Grant Authority.--
(1) In general.--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(b) of title 51, United
States Code, is amended--
(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.
<all>