Sponsors (6)
The bill opens NASA land to long-term partnerships that could expand space research, technology transfer, and workforce training, but it trades off greater private use and flexibility against reduced future public control, potential fiscal liabilities, and diminished statutory protections.
State governments, universities, and nonprofit research organizations can lease NASA land for up to 99 years to build labs, training centers, and other space research and education facilities, enabling expanded infrastructure for domestic space activity.
Domestic researchers, tech workers, and companies gain greater ability to collaborate with NASA through leases, contracts, grants, and other transactions, facilitating technology transfer and public–private partnerships.
Students and prospective space-industry workers benefit from expanded workforce training opportunities because facilities on NASA land can be dedicated to education and career training in the space sector.
Taxpayers and future policymakers could face reduced public control over NASA land because long-term (up to 99-year) leases may constrain future uses and policy choices.
Federal employees and taxpayers may incur potential unfunded obligations if NASA provides administrative or maintenance support “with or without reimbursement,” creating costs that depend on future appropriations.
Nonprofits and state governments could face weaker statutory protections or reduced competitive requirements because the bill may supersede existing statutes governing federal property disposal or leasing.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced July 17, 2025 by Rafael Edward Cruz · Last progress July 17, 2025
Authorizes the NASA Administrator to lease NASA-controlled real property for up to 99 years to states, state agencies, colleges/universities, and qualified nonprofit educational or scientific organizations so they can build and operate facilities for aeronautical and space research, education, workforce training, technology transfer, and related activities. Allows NASA, subject to available appropriations, to enter lease-back agreements and provide administrative, maintenance, instructional, and other support (with or without reimbursement), and permits delegation of these authorities to subordinate NASA officials. The authority applies regardless of which existing statutory lease authority is used and operates notwithstanding specified federal property and space-related statutes, and lease renewals are permitted.