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Bill

HR 9651

To authorize the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct a pilot program for investment in infrastructure projects at NASA Centers, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Haridopolos

NASA could pilot investing in and financing infrastructure at its centers to boost facility resilience, safety, and mission readiness.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9651

Summary of HR 9651 (Session 119)

Purpose and aim

  • HR 9651 would authorize the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to conduct a pilot program investing in infrastructure projects at NASA Centers.
  • The overarching objective is to explore leveraging investments in NASA infrastructure to support NASA’s mission activities, facility resilience, and potentially broader economic or regional benefits associated with infrastructure upgrades.

Key provisions and changes

  • Authorization for a Pilot Program: The bill permits NASA to establish and run a pilot program specifically focused on investing in or financing infrastructure improvements at NASA Centers.
  • Scope of infrastructure investments: While the bill text is not provided here, typical pilots of this nature may cover facilities maintenance, modernization of critical systems (e.g., energy, water, communications, capital construction), and projects intended to improve safety, reliability, and mission readiness.
  • Governance and oversight: The bill would establish the framework by which NASA administers the pilot, including management, implementation timelines, and reporting requirements to Congress.
  • Roles and responsibilities: The Administrator of NASA would be empowered to design, execute, and monitor eligible infrastructure investments within the pilot’s scope.
  • Potential use of financing mechanisms: The bill may authorize or authorize particular financing approaches (e.g., public-private partnerships, leveraging funds, or other investment mechanisms) to support center infrastructure upgrades, subject to NASA’s rules and federal procurement, cost accounting, and aid-eligibility requirements.
  • Reporting and evaluation: The pilot would likely require periodic reporting on project performance, budgetary status, and outcomes relative to defined metrics (e.g., cost savings, uptime improvements, safety enhancements).

Who would be affected

  • NASA Centers: Primary beneficiaries and implementing sites for the pilot investments, subject to project selection and funding constraints.
  • NASA leadership and program managers: Responsible for proposing, managing, and overseeing pilot projects, ensuring alignment with NASA missions and safety standards.
  • Federal taxpayers and oversight authorities: As with federal infrastructure investments, there would be reporting, accountability, and potential scrutiny by Congress and related agencies.
  • Potential private sector or non-federal partners: If financing mechanisms like public-private partnerships or private investment are used, private entities could participate under federal procurement rules and NASA guidelines.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on July 13, 2026.
  • Legislative process status: As of the latest action, the bill has been referred to committee for consideration. There is no publicly available information here on further amendments, markups, or floor actions.
  • Sponsor: Co-sponsor Mike Haridopolos is listed, indicating support from at least one additional member of Congress.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Operational impact: If enacted, NASA could pilot new approaches to funding and delivering infrastructure at centers, potentially improving facility reliability and mission readiness.
  • Financial implications: Depending on the structure, the pilot could shift some upfront capital needs, risk profiles, or budgeting approaches—subject to federal budgeting rules and appropriations.
  • Oversight and accountability: The pilot would require clear metrics and transparent reporting to ensure compliance with federal laws and alignment with NASA priorities.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific aspects (e.g., potential financing mechanisms, compliance considerations, or proposed evaluation metrics) once the bill’s full text is available.

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

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