NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-8958
Sponsor: Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]
Introduced: 2024-07-09 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Agricultural research
Air quality
Appropriations
Atmospheric science and weather
Aviation and airports
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Geography and mapping
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
International organizations and cooperation
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Research and development
Science and engineering education
Space flight and exploration
Spacecraft and satellites
Technology assessment
Telephone and wireless communication
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2024-07-09
text: 

NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024

This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It also establishes and revises various NASA programs relating to space exploration, research, and technology.

For example, the bill directs NASA to continue its efforts to support crewed lunar landings and Mars explorations, including through partnerships with the private sector (i.e., the Moon to Mars and Artemis programs). NASA must report on certain details of these partnerships, including the respective amounts of government and private sector contributions.

The bill also provides for private sector involvement with the International Space Station (ISS), including authorizing private sector missions to the ISS to advance commercial spaceflight and requiring NASA to partner with the private sector to support the eventual deorbiting of the ISS.

In addition, NASA must continue to support improvements to space technology, including lunar communications. NASA must also evaluate and conduct research programs relating to experimental aircrafts, hypersonic research, and unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones).

The bill also establishes certain requirements relating to earth science and monitoring, including requiring NASA to evaluate greenhouse gas detection capabilities and to distribute relevant earth science data to the agricultural industry. It also provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program, which supports NASA's earth science research.

Finally, the bill requires several reports and evaluations of NASA programs and policies, including an external review of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program and a report on NASA's early cost estimates for missions.
 
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: 

NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024

This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It also establishes and revises various NASA programs relating to space exploration, research, and technology.

For example, the bill directs NASA to continue its efforts to support crewed lunar landings and Mars explorations, including through partnerships with the private sector (i.e., the Moon to Mars and Artemis programs). NASA must report on certain details of these partnerships, including the respective amounts of government and private sector contributions.

The bill also provides for private sector involvement with the International Space Station (ISS), including authorizing private sector missions to the ISS to advance commercial spaceflight and requiring NASA to partner with the private sector to support the eventual deorbiting of the ISS.

In addition, NASA must continue to support improvements to space technology, including lunar communications. NASA must also evaluate and conduct research programs relating to experimental aircrafts, hypersonic research, and unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones).

The bill also establishes certain requirements relating to earth science and monitoring, including requiring NASA to evaluate greenhouse gas detection capabilities and to distribute relevant earth science data to the agricultural industry. It also provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program, which supports NASA's earth science research.

Finally, the bill requires several reports and evaluations of NASA programs and policies, including an external review of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program and a report on NASA's early cost estimates for missions.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 366 - 21, 1 Present (Roll no. 441). (text: CR H5606-5621)
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 366 - 21, 1 Present (Roll no. 441). (text: CR H5606-5621)
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5627-5628)
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8958.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5606-5623)
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Mr. Lucas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 595.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-701.
action_date: 2024-09-23
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-701.
action_date: 2024-07-10
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.
action_date: 2024-07-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2024-07-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2024-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2024-07-09
text: Introduced in House