To make revisions in title 51, United States Code, as necessary to keep the title current, and to make technical amendments to improve the United States Code.

Bill Number: H.R. 5174
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-09-10: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Last Updated: 2026-03-12T18:36:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill (H.R. 5174) aims to update and reorganize Title 51 of the United States Code, which governs national and commercial space programs. The core goals are to keep the title current by reorganizing scattered provisions, standardizing language and style, modernizing outdated terms, correcting minor drafting errors (like inconsistencies or ambiguities), and making technical improvements to the overall structure of the Code. Importantly, the bill states that these changes do not alter the meaning, effect, or legal interpretation of existing laws, and they preserve the value of prior court decisions.

Key Provisions

The bill is structured around six main sections: updating the table of contents, stating purposes and non-substantive nature, revising Title 51, making technical amendments, providing transitional rules, and repealing outdated parts. Key elements include:

Organizational Revisions:
Updates the title's table of contents, redesignates chapters and sections for better flow (e.g., Chapter 301 retitled "Funding"; new Chapters 315 on "Facilities and Infrastructure," 409 on "Aeronautics and Space Technology," 513 on "Space Resource Commercial Exploration," 515 on "Office of Spaceports," 517 on "Commercial Cargo and Crew Transportation," 715 on "Human Space Flight and Exploration," and 717 on "Advancing Human Space Exploration").
Reserves unused chapter numbers (e.g., 317–397, 411–497) to allow for future expansions.
Moves and renumbers sections to group related topics, such as budget and funding under Subchapter II of Chapter 301.

Technical Amendments to Existing Sections:
Corrects references to laws, dates, and committee names (e.g., changes "Committee on Science and Technology" to "Committee on Science, Space, and Technology" in multiple sections; replaces enactment dates with specific calendar dates like "December 23, 2004").
Adds clarifying subsections, such as proceeds from NASA leases deposited into specific accounts (Section 20145), evaluations of NASA's contributions to STEM education (Section 20303), and policies for facilities maintenance (Section 31501).
Enacts new reporting requirements, like annual reports on program costs exceeding baselines (Section 30105) and biennial updates on information security risks (Section 30505).

New or Expanded Provisions:
Funding and Budgeting: Requires 5-year budgets for programs over $200 million (Section 30104), consideration of decadal surveys in budgeting (Section 30122), and two-year budget requests with third-year estimates (Section 30123).
Supply Chain and Security: Mandates a program to detect and track counterfeit electronic parts in NASA's supply chain, including training, databases, and procurement from trusted manufacturers (Section 30311). Establishes information security awareness programs and biennial risk assessments (Section 30505).
Workforce and Education: Addresses barriers for minority and underrepresented groups in space careers (Section 30506); supports STEM programs with cybersecurity focus (Section 49910); encourages women's involvement in aerospace (Section 49911); and expands internships for underrepresented candidates (Section 49912).
Commercial and International Space Activities: Creates an Office of Spaceports (Chapter 515); supports commercial cargo/crew development with safety and procurement reviews (Chapter 517); limits U.S. commitments to non-binding international space conduct codes without certifications on security impacts (Section 30705).
Facilities and Research: Requires a facilities plan aligned with national space policy (Section 31501); sets aeronautics goals for airspace capacity, sustainability, and safety (Section 40901); establishes a Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research Program (Section 40905).
International Space Station (ISS): Extends U.S. support through 2030 (Section 70908); designates U.S. segment as a national laboratory managed via nonprofit cooperative agreement (Section 70911); ensures 50% research capacity allocation (Section 70911(d)).
Human Exploration: Defines policies for Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew vehicle development (Sections 71521–71522); requires a "human exploration roadmap" for Mars missions by 2030s, including timelines, risks, and partnerships (Section 71721).
Science and Technology: Prioritizes balanced planetary missions (Section 71732); develops strategies for extrasolar planets and astrobiology (Sections 71733–71734); authorizes space technology program for propulsion and innovation (Section 71742).
Efficiency and Governance: Mandates IT strategic and security plans (Sections 71752–71753); promotes mission directorate collaboration (Section 71761); requires transparency in Space Act Agreements (non-exclusive, publicly disclosed; Section 71766).

Transitional and Savings Provisions: Ensures restatements clarify but do not change law; courts must consider revision notes in interpretations. Effective dates for some amendments (e.g., prize program changes retroactive to 2011).

Repeals: Eliminates redundant or obsolete sections (e.g., certain advisory committee provisions in Chapter 603).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Non-Substantive Reorganization: Consolidates provisions enacted over decades into logical chapters/subchapters, removing contradictions and obsolete language (e.g., modernizing "Buy American Act" references to current code citations). This improves readability without policy shifts.
Clarifications and Updates: Adds definitions (e.g., "cis-lunar space," "deep space") and minor enhancements like explicit counterfeit parts criteria or IT risk frameworks, codifying practices from prior authorizations (e.g., NASA Authorization Acts of 2005, 2010, 2017).
No Major Policy Overhauls: Changes committee names and dates for accuracy; adds reporting/oversight (e.g., annual Space Act Agreement reports) to enhance accountability. Reinforces existing priorities like commercial partnerships and Mars exploration but introduces no new mandates or funding.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Streamlines NASA's operations by clarifying structures (e.g., better budget reporting reduces ambiguities in funding approvals); enhances cybersecurity and supply chain security, potentially lowering risks/costs for programs like ISS and SLS. Interagency coordination (e.g., with DoD, DOE, NOAA) improves efficiency in Earth observation and technology sharing. Minimal burden, as changes are technical.
Citizens: Indirect benefits via more efficient NASA management, supporting STEM education and workforce diversity, which could expand job opportunities in aerospace. Public transparency (e.g., disclosed agreements) builds trust in space program spending.
International Relations: Strengthens U.S. position by requiring certifications for space conduct agreements (ensuring no limits on U.S. military activities) and promoting ISS collaborations through 2030. Encourages partnerships for Mars roadmap but prioritizes U.S. capabilities, potentially influencing global space norms without binding commitments.

Main Stakeholders Affected

NASA and Federal Agencies: Primary impact on NASA (e.g., Administrator, mission directorates like Human Exploration, Science, Space Technology); secondary effects on DoD (joint certifications), DOE (radioisotope production), NOAA/USGS (Earth observation transitions), and OSTP (policy coordination).
Commercial Sector: Space industry providers (e.g., cargo/crew transport firms like SpaceX, suborbital operators) benefit from clarified procurement, flight opportunities, and non-exclusive agreements; must comply with new supply chain rules.
Educational and Workforce Groups: Universities, minority/underrepresented communities, and women in STEM gain from expanded programs, internships, and outreach.
Congress: Oversight committees (Science, Space, and Technology; Commerce, Science, and Transportation) receive more detailed reports, aiding budget and policy reviews.
International Partners: ISS collaborators (e.g., ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA) affected by extended U.S. commitments and shared research capacity.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Upholds "plain meaning" statutory interpretation but allows revision notes as aids to clarify ambiguities, preventing disputes over reorganized text. Codifies protections against counterfeit parts and IT vulnerabilities, potentially reducing litigation risks in procurement/contracts.
Constitutional: References presidential treaty power (Article II) and congressional role in disarmament (Arms Control Act), ensuring no space agreements impose militarily significant limits without approval—safeguards U.S. sovereignty in space activities.
Political: Neutral and technical, avoiding controversy by focusing on codification rather than new funding/policies. Reinforces bipartisan priorities (e.g., commercial space growth, Mars goals) from prior authorizations, promoting efficiency amid budget pressures. No partisan bias; emphasizes U.S. leadership and partnerships without expansive commitments.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]

Recent Actions

2025-09-10: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
2025-09-10: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2025-09-08: Introduced in House
2025-09-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

To make revisions in title 51, United States Code, as necessary to keep the title current, and to make technical amendments to improve the United States Code. — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (138 pages)