National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act for 2016 and 2017

Bill: 114-hr-2039
Sponsor: Rep. Palazzo, Steven M. [R-MS-4]
Introduced: 2015-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Astronomy
Aviation and airports
Biological and life sciences
Buy American requirements
Competition and antitrust
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Crimes against property
Earth sciences
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Executive agency funding and structure
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Historic sites and heritage areas
International organizations and cooperation
Materials
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Minority education
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Natural disasters
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Radiation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Science and engineering education
Small business
Space flight and exploration
Spacecraft and satellites
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade restrictions
Transportation safety and security
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act for 2016 and 2017 

 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2017 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
 
Authorizes programs, activities, and reports for NASA, including those relating to human exploration of space, the Space Launch System, the Orion multipurpose crew vehicle, space radiation, the International Space Station, the commercial crew program, radioisotope power systems, extrasolar planet exploration, the James Webb Space Telescope, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope, near-Earth objects, astrobiology, space weather, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Venture class missions, aeronautics research (including transformative aeronautics research), science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, project and program reserves, orbital debris mitigation, remote satellite robotic servicing demonstrations, and astronaut occupational health care. 
 
Directs NASA to report to Congress on the proposed Asteroid Retrieval Mission. 
 
Directs NASA to utilize the International Space Station and commercial services for space technology demonstration missions in low-Earth orbit whenever it is practical and cost effective to do so.
 
Establishes a space technology program. 
 
Directs NASA to: (1) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Public Administration to assess the effectiveness of the NASA Advisory Council, (2) enter into an arrangement with the National Academies for a review of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, and (3) revise the NASA Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to address the detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts. 
 
Directs NASA to develop a policy on the use of operational commercial reusable suborbital flight vehicles for carrying out scientific and engineering investigations and educational activities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-30
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
action_date: 2015-04-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Introduced in House