Title 51 Revisions

Full Title:
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.

Summary#

This bill updates and reorganizes Title 51 of the United States Code, the chapter that contains many NASA-related statutes. It makes many technical changes: renaming chapters and sections, moving or redesignating sections, updating dates, correcting cross-references, and modernizing language and typeface. The bill adds new chapters and sections on topics such as facilities and infrastructure, counterfeit electronic parts, information security, workforce development for underrepresented groups, commercial cargo and crew transportation, human space flight and exploration, and coordinating Earth observation and space technology activities. It also adds reporting and planning requirements, requirements about Space Act Agreements, and limits or reporting requirements for participation in certain non‑binding international space agreements.

What it means for you#

  • For people who work with or follow NASA: the law that organizes NASA authorities and requirements would be clearer and more up to date. New or clarified sections address facilities, information security, counterfeit parts, STEM education, internships, and commercial space activities.
  • For educators and students: the bill includes provisions encouraging STEM programs, cybersecurity in STEM education, internship and fellowship recruitment, and support for women and underrepresented groups in aerospace.
  • For companies and suppliers: the bill would require counterfeit-part detection and tracking programs for electronic parts used by NASA and set criteria for trusted manufacturers. It also includes rules and transparency requirements for Space Act Agreements and commercial crew/cargo procurement planning.
  • For international cooperation: the bill requires certifications and briefings if the United States signs certain non-legally binding international space agreements and sets notification requirements before actions that would limit U.S. activities in space.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on total costs or budget estimates is included in the bill text. The bill contains some direction about where proceeds from certain leases must be deposited and includes many reporting, planning, or organizational requirements, but it does not set specific appropriation amounts.

Proponents' View#

Supporters would point to the bill's stated purposes: to keep Title 51 current, correct drafting errors, modernize language, remove ambiguities, and improve organization. The text shows supporters seek clearer statutory structure for NASA authorities, added statutory attention to facilities and infrastructure planning, information security and workforce development, stronger counterfeit-part controls, enhanced transparency for Space Act Agreements, and statutory guidance for commercial cargo and crew programs and human exploration roadmaps.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on organized opposition or objections is included in the bill text or provided metadata.