Space Exploration Research Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
In Committee
Summary
Expanded long-term leasing authority for NASA lets the agency lease real property to eligible states, universities, and qualified nonprofits for up to 50 years to support research, education, training, and technology transfer. The authority includes back-lease options, allows NASA to provide administrative and instructional support, and requires annual reporting to show mission relevance and protect U.S. interests.
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- NASA operations: Authorizes leases up to 50 years with renewals and lets the Administrator delegate leasing powers to subordinate officers. NASA can enter back-lease arrangements and provide maintenance, instructional, or administrative support with or without reimbursement.
- Eligible users: Applies to the State where the property sits, state subdivisions or agencies, 501(c)(3) organizations organized for education or scientific purposes, and institutions of higher education. Leases must support aeronautical and space research, education, training, technology transfer, or other mission-relevant space activities.
- Oversight and protections: Includes an "Effect of Other Law" clause to clarify applicability despite certain statutory limits. Requires an annual report by January 31 to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with lease counts, financial value, estimated cost savings, and other quantifiable benefits.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
NASA leases to states and colleges
If enacted, this bill would let NASA lease land or buildings for up to 50 years to certain public and nonprofit groups. Eligible groups would include the State where the property is located, state agencies, 501(c)(3) education or science nonprofits, and institutions of higher education. NASA could renew leases, do leaseback deals, and enter contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with those groups. NASA could provide administrative, maintenance, instructional, or other support with or without reimbursement. The authority would be subject to appropriations and would be used on terms the Administrator considers appropriate to protect U.S. interests. Each year by January 31, NASA would report to Congress on mission relevance, lease counts by center, revenues and expenditures, estimated cost savings, and other quantifiable benefits.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov