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

Defense & National SecurityTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill proposes a broad revision and modernization of title 51, United States Code (the NASA-related statutory framework), primarily by restating and reorganizing provisions to keep the title current and by making a number of technical amendments. In addition to reconfiguring and renumbering sections and chapters, the measure adds several new requirements and programs focused on budgeting, procurement integrity, information security, workforce diversity, and international space-related governance. Notably, it creates new or re-designated chapters (eg, Funding, Facilities and Infrastructure, Aeronautics and Space Technology, and a later-effort to stand up a Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research Program), and it imposes enhanced reporting, planning, and oversight requirements for NASA and related activities. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the structure of Title 51, improve budget transparency and cost control, strengthen security and supply-chain protections, advance STEM workforce development, and clarify oversight and policy tools for international space activities and space technology investments. Many changes are technical in nature (renumbering, restatement of existing law, and alignment of terminology), but several provisions establish new programs, governance requirements, and risk-management duties with potential effects on NASA planning, contracting, and international engagement.

Key Points

1Comprehensive restatement and reorganization of Title 51
2- The bill restructures and renumbers major parts of title 51, including moving and renaming chapters (eg, funding provisions to a new “Chapter 301: Funding,” and adding chapters such as 315 (Facilities and Infrastructure), 399 (re-designated from prior chapters), 409 (Aeronautics and Space Technology), and new later-designated sections). It also consolidates and standardizes terminology and headings to improve consistency and clarity across the code.
3Budgeting, planning, and cost-reporting enhancements
4- Adds new sections to Chapter 301 focused on budgeting and cost control, including Sec. 30104 (cost-estimate reporting for large programs) and Sec. 30105 (annual program-cost reports with corrective-action plans). It directs incorporation of decadal-survey considerations into budget processes (Sec. 30122) and requires a two-year budget request with a third-year estimate (Sec. 30123). The changes emphasize transparency in cost estimates and schedule risk for major programs.
5Counterfeit parts, information security, and workforce provisions
6- Sec. 30311 creates a new program to detect, track, and reduce counterfeit electronic parts in NASA’s supply chain, with training, an internal database, and reporting mechanisms to law enforcement and industry databases.
7- Sec. 30505 establishes information security requirements, including biennial risk updates for information infrastructure, a security-awareness program for all personnel, and incentives for high performance in security practices.
8- Sec. 30506 requires assessment-led workforce development efforts to address impediments for minority and underrepresented groups, drawing on an existing assessment.
9International space governance and outer-space engagement controls
10- Sec. 30705 imposes tight oversight on international agreements concerning outer space activities. It requires presidential certifications and interagency briefings/notifications to Congress before engaging in non-legally binding space code-of-conduct discussions, and it sets conditions and timelines for briefing and notification requirements.
11New and redesigned chapters on facilities, space technology, and related policy
12- Sec. 31501–31502 (Chapter 315) creates a formal Facilities and Infrastructure framework, including a policy, a facilities plan, and criteria for managing property and facilities, with emphasis on maintaining and upgrading center facilities and aligning with national space policy and past NASA authorization acts.
13- Sec. 40901–40905 establishes a new Chapter 409 (AERONAUTICS AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY) with goals for aeronautics research, collaboration with the DoD and FAA, national space-technology policy, and a Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research Program to fund and facilitate suborbital research flights.
14- The bill also restructures and renames other sections, eventually relocating and renumbering some provisions into a new Chapter 499 (reserved chapters) and reshaping the overall table of contents to reflect the updated framework.
15Substantive additions to space technology policy and collaboration
16- Sec. 40904 outlines a national space technology policy through 2020 (and related guidance) covering priority areas, budgeting assumptions, facilities and personnel needs, and the coordination among federal agencies; it emphasizes long-term leadership in space technologies and collaboration with academia and industry.
17- Sec. 40905 establishes a Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research Program to fund payload development, provide flight opportunities, support demonstrations, and coordinate with mission directorates to advance goals.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- NASA and the Administration: The reorganization, new reporting requirements, and the establishment of the Facilities and Infrastructure plan, the space technology policy, and the suborbital program will shape planning, budgeting, procurement, and project management.- Congress and oversight bodies: Increased reporting (cost, risk, program status), decadal-survey consideration in budgeting, and heightened scrutiny of international space engagements are likely to increase congressional involvement and oversight activities.Secondary group/area affected- Space industry, universities, and researchers: The Suborbital Research Program and broader emphasis on space technology policy and collaboration may expand opportunities for research partners, contractors, and academic institutions; new security and counterfeiting controls will affect procurement practices.- Federal partners (DoD, FAA, NSC, DoE, etc.): New interagency coordination for space technology and budget processes may affect joint programs and shared infrastructure.Additional impacts- Procurement and supply-chain integrity: The counterfeit-parts program and enhanced procurement policy could raise compliance requirements and verification processes for suppliers.- International engagement: Stricter certification and briefing requirements for non-binding space agreements could slow or alter some diplomatic-track activities and require more formal interagency coordination.- Financial and program cost management: New cost-estimation, reporting, and budget rules may affect how programs are planned, justified, and tracked, influencing project baselines and accountability.The bill emphasizes that the restatement of existing law is not intended to change its meaning or effect, but to clarify and organize it. Where wording changes occur, courts would follow revision notes included in the accompanying congressional report when interpreting changes.Many provisions are technical in nature (renumbering, reorganizing chapters, updating committee references, aligning terminology). Other provisions introduce new programs and oversight tools that could meaningfully influence NASA planning, budgeting, procurement, and international engagement.

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