51 U.S.C. § 51103: Grant applications

Summary

A sponsor can apply to the Secretary of Transportation for a project grant. The application must describe the project and follow the form and information the Secretary requires. When picking projects, the Secretary looks at several things, such as how the project helps U.S. space transportation needs, how much money and work industry puts in, effects on U.S. industry competitiveness, any state support, and how the project affects launch operations. The Secretary must talk with the Secretary of Defense, the NASA Administrator, and other agencies about the project’s help to government space needs and its effects on launch ranges. The Secretary can approve a grant only if the project furthers the chapter’s goals; fits local public plans approved by the State; has consent if it uses government property; can be finished without unreasonable delay; the sponsor has legal authority to do it; and any other Secretary rules are met. If everything else is equal, projects with bigger industry financial contributions get preference.

Title 51, §51103

National and Commercial Space Programs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)General.—

A sponsor may submit to the Secretary of Transportation an application for a project grant. The application must state the project to be undertaken and be in the form and contain the information the Secretary requires.

(b)Considerations and Consultation.—

(1)In selecting proposed projects for grants under this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall consider—

(A)the contribution of the project to industry capabilities that serve the United States Government’s space transportation needs;

(B)the extent of industry’s financial contribution to the project;

(C)the extent of industry’s participation in the project;

(D)the positive impact of the project on the international competitiveness of the United States space transportation industry;

(E)the extent of State contributions to the project; and

(F)the impact of the project on launch operations and other activities at Government launch ranges.

(2)The Secretary of Transportation shall consult with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the National Space and Aeronautics Administration, and the heads of other appropriate agencies of the Government about paragraph (1)(A) and (F) of this subsection.

(c)Requirements.—

The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application only if the Secretary is satisfied that—

(1)the project will contribute to the purposes of this chapter;

(2)the project is reasonably consistent with plans (existing at the time of approval of the project) of public agencies that are—

(A)authorized by the State in which the project is located; and

(B)responsible for the development of the area surrounding the project site;

(3)if the application proposes to use Government property, the specific consent of the head of the appropriate agency has been obtained;

(4)the project will be completed without unreasonable delay;

(5)the sponsor submitting the application has the legal authority to engage in the project; and

(6)any additional requirements prescribed by the Secretary have been met.

(d)Preference for Industry Contributions.—

The Secretary of Transportation shall give preference to applications for projects for which there will be greater industry financial contributions, all other factors being equal.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70303(a)15:5804(d)(1).Nov. 4, 1992, Pub. L. 102–588, § 505(c), (d), 106 Stat. 5125. 70303(b)(1)15:5804(c)(1). 70303(b)(2)15:5804(c)(2). 70303(c)15:5804(d)(2). 70303(d)15:5804(c)(3). In subsection (a), the words “for one or more projects” are omitted as unnecessary because of the definition of “project” in section 70301 of the revised title. In subsection (c)(5), the words “as proposed” are omitted as surplus.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70303 of title 49 and section 70303 of this title as this section.

§51103 Grant Applications