Bill Summary
The "Space Ready Act" is a piece of legislation that authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to implement a pilot program aimed at attracting both private and public investments for infrastructure projects specifically at the Kennedy Space Center. The Act establishes an "Infrastructure Investment Fund," which is a dedicated fund in the U.S. Treasury for financing these infrastructure improvements.
Key components of the Act include:
1. **Pilot Program**: The Administrator is empowered to initiate a pilot program to facilitate investment in targeted infrastructure enhancements at the Kennedy Space Center.
2. **Infrastructure Investment Fund**: This fund will collect assessments from agreements related to public and commercial activities at the Kennedy Space Center, which will then be used for capital repairs, maintenance, and improvements of NASA-owned infrastructure.
3. **Use of Funds**: The funds collected will be utilized for a range of infrastructure work, including renovation, construction, and modernization of facilities at the Kennedy Space Center.
4. **Reporting Requirements**: The Administrator must provide annual reports to Congress detailing the amount collected, expenditures made from the fund, and future plans for the fund's use.
5. **Termination of Authority**: The authority to collect assessments will end on December 31, 2035, but existing agreements and the use of funds will remain valid.
Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the infrastructure at the Kennedy Space Center, supporting NASA's operational capabilities through improved facilities and resources.
Possible Impacts
The "Space Ready Act" could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Job Creation and Economic Growth**: The pilot program for infrastructure investments at the Kennedy Space Center may lead to the creation of jobs in the local community. This could involve hiring construction workers, engineers, and support staff needed for capital repairs and improvements to NASA-owned infrastructure. The influx of jobs and increased economic activity could benefit local businesses and stimulate growth in the region.
2. **Enhanced Public and Commercial Access to Space**: By investing in infrastructure improvements at the Kennedy Space Center, the legislation could enhance capabilities for both public and commercial space missions. This could lead to more frequent launches, increased research opportunities, and improved facilities for private companies participating in space exploration. As a result, there may be more opportunities for individuals and organizations to engage with space-related activities, fostering interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
3. **Increased Federal Oversight and Reporting**: The requirement for the Administrator to submit annual reports on the Infrastructure Investment Fund could lead to greater transparency and accountability regarding how funds are collected and spent. This oversight may ensure that investments are made effectively and in alignment with budgetary priorities, ultimately affecting how taxpayers perceive the efficiency and effectiveness of NASA’s infrastructure investments. Such accountability can help build public trust in governmental agencies and their expenditures.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2622 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2622
To authorize the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to conduct a pilot program for investment in
infrastructure projects at the Kennedy Space Center and to establish
the Infrastructure Investment Fund, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31, 2025
Mrs. Moody introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to conduct a pilot program for investment in
infrastructure projects at the Kennedy Space Center and to establish
the Infrastructure Investment Fund, 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 ``Space Ready Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(3) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AT KENNEDY SPACE
CENTER AND ESTABLISHMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
FUND.
(a) Pilot Program.--The Administrator may conduct a pilot program
for private and public investment in specific infrastructure projects
at the Kennedy Space Center.
(b) Infrastructure Investment Fund.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of
the United States a fund, to be known as the ``Infrastructure
Investment Fund'' (referred to in this subsection as the
``Fund''), for infrastructure investments of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Infrastructure assessments.--The Administrator
may include in agreements entered into under section
20113(e) of title 51, United States Code, involving
transactions that support public and commercial
activities at the Kennedy Space Center, an assessment
to fund specific capital repair, maintenance, and
improvement projects described in paragraph (3).
(B) Deposits.--Each assessment collected under
subparagraph (A) shall be deposited into the Fund and
shall remain available until expended.
(3) Use of funds.--
(A) In general.--Amounts deposited in the Fund
shall be used by the Administrator to conduct capital
repairs, maintenance, and improvements to NASA-owned
infrastructure at the Kennedy Space Center, as the
Administrator considers necessary to support activities
conducted under agreements entered into under section
20113(e) of title 51, United States Code, which may
include renovation, rehabilitation, sustainment,
demolition, construction, operation, maintenance,
repair, enhancement, expansion, and modernization of
NASA-owned infrastructure at the Kennedy Space Center.
(B) Treatment of improvements.--Improvements made
to NASA-owned infrastructure at the Kennedy Space
Center with amounts from the Fund shall be property of
the United States.
(4) Annual report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
a report on the Fund that includes the following:
(A) For the preceding calendar year--
(i) the total amount collected and
deposited into the Fund under paragraph (2);
and
(ii) the total expenditures made from the
Fund.
(B) The amount in the Fund as of the date on which
the report is submitted.
(C) The proposed uses of amounts in the Fund for
the operating plans of the Administration.
(5) Termination.--
(A) In general.--The authority to collect
assessments under paragraph (2)(A) shall terminate on
December 31, 2035.
(B) Rule of construction.--The expiration under
subparagraph (A) of the authority to collect
assessments may not be construed to otherwise affect
the validity or terms of agreements under section
20113(e) of title 51, United States Code, or the
retention or use by the Administration of proceeds from
such agreements.
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