HR 5174119th CongressIntroduced

To make revisions in title 51, United States Code, as necessary to keep the title current, and to make technical amendments to improve the United States Code.

Introduced: Sep 8, 2025

Technology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill seeks a comprehensive restatement and modernization of Title 51, United States Code, focused on keeping the title current and improving the code through technical amendments. It undertakes a broad overhaul of the NASA-related portions of Title 51 by reorganizing chapters, renaming and relocating sections, and adding new chapters and programs. The result is a more integrated framework for budgeting, facilities and infrastructure, space technology, international engagement, procurement integrity (including counterfeit parts), information security, workforce development, and STEM education. The restatement is designed to clarify existing law without changing its substantive meaning, while also adding several new requirements and programs to address modern challenges and policy goals. In practice, the bill creates new organizational structure (e.g., new or renamed chapters such as Funding, Facilities and Infrastructure, Space Resources Utilization, Spaceports, Commercial Cargo/Crew, and Aeronautics/Space Technology), imposes updated budgeting and oversight rules (including decadal survey consideration and multi-year budgeting), strengthens procurement and security measures (notably counterfeit parts controls and information security), expands workforce and education priorities (including minority representation), imposes new international oversight on outer-space agreements, and adds targeted policy and planning requirements for space infrastructure and technology development. It also authorizes new programs (e.g., Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research) and new STEM and workforce initiatives.

Key Points

1Structural overhaul and modernization of Title 51
2- Reorganizes and renames major sections, creating new chapters (Funding; Facilities and Infrastructure; Space Resources; Office of Spaceports; Development and Use of Commercial Cargo and Crew Transportation Capabilities) and reassigning or reserving other chapters to reflect a streamlined, future-focused structure.
3- Introduces new and re-designated sections within Chapter 301 (now “General budget documentation requirements” and “Budget provisions”) and adds decadal-survey considerations and two-year/third-year budgeting requirements.
4Procurement integrity and counterfeit parts
5- Enacts a new Section 30311 to plan, develop, and implement a program to detect, track, catalog, and reduce counterfeit electronic parts in the NASA supply chain.
6- Requires training, an internal counterfeit parts database, reporting mechanisms to law enforcement and industry databases, and a policy to buy from trusted/approved manufacturers with defined criteria (e.g., authentication, markings, RFID, testing, secure facilities).
7Information security and workforce diversity
8- Establishes new information security provisions (Sec. 30505) requiring biennial risk updates, a comprehensive awareness/education program, and mandatory participation for personnel with access to agency information infrastructure.
9- Creates a workforce development provision (Sec. 30506) aimed at addressing impediments to space science/engineering workforce diversity, drawing on a prior independent assessment.
10International engagement and outer-space governance
11- Adds a new limitation on international agreements concerning outer space activities (Sec. 30705), including certification requirements if the U.S. signs a non-legally binding international code of conduct for outer space activities, along with required briefings and notifications to Congress.
12Space infrastructure, technology policy, and education programs
13- Establishes a new Chapter 315 (Facilities and Infrastructure) focused on facility planning, upkeep, disposal strategies, and a government-wide approach to managing space centers and related infrastructure.
14- Enacts a new space technology framework (Chapter 409) with goals for aeronautics and space technology, research collaboration, and a Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research Program.
15- Adds STEM education and related opportunities (new sections 49910–49912) to promote education, workforce development, and women’s involvement in aerospace.

Impact Areas

Primary- NASA and the Administration for Space (and related federal space programs) — changes to budgeting, planning, procurement, security, infrastructure, and technology policy directly affect agency operations, priorities, and oversight.- Aerospace contractors, suppliers, and centers — new procurement controls, counterfeit-part protections, and infrastructure/planning reforms will influence contracting, supply chain management, and facility investments.Secondary- Congress and authorizing committees (e.g., Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Science, Space, and Technology) — new reporting, budgeting, and decadal-survey considerations affect oversight and appropriations processes.- International partners and space-policy communities — the new limitations and briefing/notification requirements influence how the U.S. negotiates and engages on space governance.Additional impacts- Education and workforce sectors — STEM education programs and diversity initiatives could broaden participation in aerospace fields.- National security and interoperability — enhanced information security and counter-counterfeit measures affect national security and supply-chain resilience within space programs.- Transition and implementation considerations — the broad restructuring and numerous new requirements would require transitional provisions, guidance, and potential adjustments for agencies and contractors to implement effectively.

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