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HR 3424

SPACE Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Lawler and 1 co-sponsor

The SPACE Act of 2025 requires the GSA to collaborate with federal tenants to optimize shared office space, aiming to cut costs and improve efficiency in federal properties.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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Bill Summary · HR 3424

Summary of HR 3424 - SPACE Act of 2025

Overview

Bill Number: HR 3424
Title: Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act of 2025 (SPACE Act of 2025)
Status: Received in the Senate; referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
Introduced: May 15, 2025
Primary Sponsor: Mr. Onder
Cosponsors: Mr. Michael Lawler, Mr. Chris Pappas

Purpose of the Bill

The SPACE Act of 2025 aims to enhance collaboration between the General Services Administration (GSA) and federal tenants regarding shared-space arrangements. The intent is to improve the utilization of federal office space, reduce costs, and address the growing issue of underutilized federal properties.

Key Provisions

  1. Collaboration Requirement: The GSA Administrator is mandated to work with federal tenants to:

    • Identify concerns related to shared-space arrangements.
    • Develop criteria to facilitate expanded use of space-sharing or collocating.
    • Explore how special-use spaces can enhance space-sharing.
    • Establish measurable objectives to assess the success of shared-space arrangements.

  2. Reporting: The GSA Administrator must provide a briefing to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works within six months of the bill's enactment, detailing the implementation of these requirements.

Background and Need for Legislation

  • The GSA manages approximately 363 million square feet of space across 8,397 assets, incurring over $8 billion in annual costs for operating, maintaining, and leasing office space.
  • A significant portion of GSA's leases (96 million square feet) is set to expire in the next five years, prompting the need for more efficient space utilization.
  • Reports indicate that many federal buildings are underutilized, with some agencies operating at 25% or less occupancy rates.
  • The legislation responds to findings from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that highlighted the prevalence of "shadow" or "dark" space—unused areas within federal buildings.

Impact

  • Federal Agencies: The bill is expected to affect all federal agencies that lease space, encouraging them to optimize their office arrangements and reduce costs.
  • Taxpayers: By improving space utilization, the legislation aims to save taxpayer dollars by minimizing unnecessary leasing expenses and operational costs.
  • Federal Employees: The bill may lead to changes in how federal employees work, particularly in light of increasing remote work agreements and the anticipated retirement of a significant portion of the federal workforce.

Legislative Timeline

  • May 15, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  • June 11, 2025: Reported by the Committee; ordered to be reported by voice vote.
  • September 8, 2025: Passed in the House with a vote of 397 - 1; received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Conclusion

The SPACE Act of 2025 represents a strategic effort to address inefficiencies in federal real estate management. By fostering collaboration and establishing clear objectives for shared-space arrangements, the legislation seeks to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs across federal agencies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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