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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>