Should NASA continue to lease out property through March 31, 2022?
This bill would extend the authority of NASA to lease out non-excess property through March 31, 2022 (the current expiration was December 31, 2021). NASA currently employs enhanced use leasing (EUL) to enter agreements with the private sector, State and local governments, academic institutions, and Federal agencies. The function of EUL is to reduce facility operating and maintenance costs and support the management of its property. In the fiscal year 2019, NASA leased 65 real properties and collected net revenue of $10,843,025.77.
Sponsor: Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. (Democrat, Virginia, District 8)
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Opponents say
• There are currently no official opposing statements to this bill. It has been referred to the House Committee on Rules. When opposing statements are available, we will update this summary.
Proponents say
• "NASA’s leadership and success in expanding our knowledge through groundbreaking scientific discoveries and extending human presence deeper into space inspires our youth, advances our technological capacity, and strengthens our economy…Enabling such an inspiring mission requires unique infrastructure and extensive property and facilities. We need to ensure that NASA has the tools and flexibilities to continue its successes for decades to come. Those tools include the ability to manage property that may no longer be actively or fully used by NASA. The bipartisan “NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2021” ensures the benefits of EUL authority will continue for the next decade, and in so doing, provides stability to NASA and its EUL partners. I am very pleased we passed this bill in the House today and hope it will be swiftly passed by the Senate and sent to the President. We cannot afford to let this authority lapse and risk delays and disruption to the many new leases currently being processed at NASA." Source: Rep. Don Beyer (Democrat, Virginia, District 8)
• "Extending NASA’s Enhanced Use Leasing authority for ten years is smart, bipartisan policy…Enhanced Use Leasing saves taxpayer dollars, helps maintain critical NASA facilities, and provides support for our commercial space partners. Extending this authority for ten years will give NASA and its partners the flexibility and predictability to enter into longer term leases which will further reduce the burden on taxpayers and help the U.S. commercial space industry continue to compete and out-innovate the world. I’m looking forward to getting this passed into law." Source: Rep. Brian Babin (Republican, Texas, District 36)
• "We need all hands-on deck to help the U.S. lead the global space race for innovation and the development of new technologies…The NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act aims to do exactly that by allowing NASA to continue leasing any excess space to private sector companies and other innovators to support our nationwide missions in space. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bill and will continue to work on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee to support nearby space innovators in Southern California and the aerospace manufacturers who create the tools for the U.S. to continue to reach new heights." Source: Rep. Young Kim (Republican, California, District 39)
