H.R. 5447 — SPACEPORT Act

This section revises the Space Transportation Infrastructure Modernization Grants program (previously titled commercial space transportation infrastructure) as follows: (1) expands the definition of "public agency" to include airport authorities (in addition to states, state agencies, political subdivisions, and tax-supported organizations); (2) limits project grants to no more than 90% of a project's total cost, with a national interest waiver available; (3) revises eligibility criteria to require consideration of the project's effects on civil, national security, and commercial space transportation needs (previously, only U.S. government space transportation needs); changes "contributions" to "support" for state and local government factors; adds consideration of impacts on government launch range operations; directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop specific project evaluation criteria; and requires consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Commerce, NASA Administrator, and other agency heads; (4) directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with specified agencies, to submit to Congress within two years of enactment a report evaluating space transportation demand (including civil, national security, and commercial needs), providing policy and funding recommendations, and assessing international competitiveness—with updates due six years after enactment and every four years thereafter; and (5) authorizes appropriations of not more than $10 million annually for grants (replacing prior cap language). This section also makes conforming changes to the chapter heading and table of chapters in title 51, United States Code. (As background, the program supports construction and improvement of U.S. space launch and reentry infrastructure to meet commercial needs.)