SPACE Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 3424
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-09-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Last Updated: 2026-07-11T01:08:27Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act of 2025 (SPACE Act of 2025) aims to improve how federal agencies share office and workspace in government-leased buildings. It builds on existing law by requiring the General Services Administration (GSA)—the federal agency responsible for managing government properties—to work closely with other federal agencies (called "tenants") to address challenges, expand sharing practices, and measure success. The goal is to make better use of federal space resources efficiently.

Key Provisions

Collaboration on Concerns: GSA must partner with federal tenants in leased spaces to identify and address issues related to shared-space arrangements (e.g., agencies sharing offices or facilities).
Development of Criteria: GSA is required to create guidelines that encourage more widespread space-sharing or collocation (placing multiple agencies in the same building or area).
Use of Special Spaces: GSA must explore how unique or specialized areas (like labs or secure rooms) can support better space-sharing.
Measurable Objectives: In consultation with tenants, GSA must set clear, quantifiable goals to evaluate how well shared-space efforts are working.
Congressional Briefing: Within 6 months of the law's enactment, GSA must provide a report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on how it is implementing these requirements.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This act amends and expands section 2302 of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which already addresses federal space management. The main additions are specific mandates for collaboration, criteria development, special-space integration, and performance metrics—elements not explicitly detailed in the prior law. It shifts from general oversight to actionable, tenant-involved processes without altering broader federal property statutes.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Federal agencies may face more coordinated space-sharing, potentially leading to cost savings, reduced leasing needs, and improved efficiency in using taxpayer-funded properties. GSA's role becomes more consultative, fostering better inter-agency relationships.
On Citizens: Indirect benefits through more efficient government operations, which could lower federal spending on real estate (e.g., reducing the need for new leases). No direct effects on individual rights or services.
On International Relations: None apparent; the law focuses solely on domestic federal property management.

Main Stakeholders Affected

General Services Administration (GSA): Primary implementer, responsible for collaboration, criteria, and reporting.
Federal Agencies as Tenants: Entities like the Department of Defense or Environmental Protection Agency that occupy leased federal spaces; they provide input on concerns and objectives.
Congressional Committees: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which oversee implementation through briefings.
Taxpayers: Indirectly affected via potential reductions in government real estate costs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces administrative efficiency under existing federal property laws (e.g., 40 U.S.C. § 584) without creating new enforcement mechanisms or penalties. It emphasizes consultation, aligning with principles of inter-agency cooperation but adds no judicial review processes.
Constitutional: No significant implications; it operates within Congress's authority to manage executive branch operations (Article I) and does not affect individual liberties or federalism.
Political: Promotes fiscal responsibility and government modernization, potentially appealing across party lines by addressing waste in federal real estate (a common bipartisan concern). It could set a precedent for similar collaborative mandates in other areas of federal administration, though its scope is narrow and non-controversial.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Recent Actions

2025-09-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
2025-09-08: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-09-08: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 1 (Roll no. 240). (text: CR H3876) (Roll call 240)
2025-09-08: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 1 (Roll no. 240). (text: CR H3876: 1) (Roll call 240)
2025-09-08: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3880-3881)
2025-09-08: 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.
2025-09-08: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3424.
2025-09-08: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3876-3877)
2025-09-08: Mr. Barrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2025-09-08: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 195.
2025-09-08: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-238.
2025-09-08: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-238.
2025-06-11: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
2025-06-11: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-06-11: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged

Bill Versions

Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (4 pages)
Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (2 pages)
Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-09 — PDF (3 pages)
Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (6 pages)