,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #caih ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,november #ai1 #bjbe,mr4 ,cornyn 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,hickenlooper1 ,mr4 ,wicker1 ,mr4 ,lujn1 and ,mr4 ,kelly7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,national ,institute for ,space ,research1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,space ,research ,and ,continuing ,exploration ,act or ,space ,,race ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration4 7#b7 ,institute ,the term ,institute means the ,national ,institute for ,space ,research established under section #c4 7#c7 ,,iss ,the term ,,iss means the ,international ,space ,station4 7#d7 ,microgravity research ,the term microgravity research means research and development conducted while in orbit in space4 7#e7 ,qualified national microgravity project ,the term qualified national microgravity project-- 7,a7 means a project led by a nongovernmental entity using a next-generation microgravity platform that reflects #a or more microgravity research and development priorities of the ,united ,states ,government1 as identified by the ,institute2 and 7,b7 includes a project with ,united ,states ,government funding or subsidy that-- 7i7 is led by #a or more-- 7,i7 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja772 7,,ii7 students2 or 7,,iii7 nonprofit organizations2 or 7ii7 is-- 7,i7 a commercial venture2 or 7,,ii7 a joint project with the ,united ,states ,government1 of which the ,united ,states ,government-- 7aa7 is not the lead party for the project2 and 7bb7 serves in a supporting role4 7#f7 ,research project ,the term research project means an in-space research and development project that-- 7,a7 uses a next-generation microgravity platform2 7,b7 reflects national priorities of the ,united ,states2 and 7,c7 is led1 funded1 or sponsored by a department or agency of the ,united ,states ,government other than the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration4 7#g7 ,special ,government employee ,the term special ,government employee has the meaning given the term in section #bjb7;a7 of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 except that for purposes of this ,act1 such an employee may be retained1 designated1 appointed1 or employed to perform1 with or without compensation1 for more than #acj days during a #cfe-;day period4 #c4 ,national ,institute for ,space ,research 7a7 ,establishment ,not earlier than ,january #a1 #bjbf1 and subject to appropriations1 the ,administrator may establish a ,national ,institute for ,space ,research1 which shall be operated by a non-,federal entity under a contractual agreement with the ,administrator1 to support-- 7#a7 the use of in-space research and development capabilities and facilities available on next-generation microgravity platforms2 7#b7 the use of in-space research and development capabilities for ,united ,states national security purposes2 7#c7 the ,united ,states microgravity ecosystem in preparation for the decommissioning of the ,,iss2 7#d7 education and workforce development in the ,united ,states with respect to space research2 and 7#e7 the transition of ,united ,states microgravity research and development from the ,,iss to next-generation microgravity platforms4 7b7 ,board of ,directors 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,institute shall have a ,board of ,directors 7referred to in this section as the ,board74 7#b7 ,membership ,the ,board shall be composed of the following3 7,a7 ,an employee of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 who shall-- 7i7 be appointed by the ,administrator2 and 7ii7 serve as ,chairperson of the ,board4 7,b7 ,an employee of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy1 appointed by the ,science ,advisor to the ,president4 7,c7 ,an employee of the ,department of ,commerce1 appointed by the ,secretary of ,commerce1 to represent perspectives of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology and the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7,d7 ,an employee of the ,department of ,education1 appointed by the ,secretary of ,education4 7,e7 ,an employee of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 appointed by the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation4 7,f7 ,an employee of the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 appointed by the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health4 7,g7 ,an employee appointed by the ,president of the ,national ,academy of ,sciences and who shall be considered a special government employee4 7,h7 ,an employee of the ,food and ,drug ,administration1 appointed by the ,commissioner of the ,food and ,drug ,administration4 7,i7 ,an employee of the ,department of ,energy1 appointed by the ,secretary of ,energy4 7,j7 ,an employee of the ,department of ,defense1 appointed by the ,secretary of ,defense4 7,k7 ,a qualified scientist with professional experience in space research and development1 who shall be-- 7i7 appointed by the ,chairperson2 and 7ii7 considered a special ,government employee4 7,l7 ,a qualified professional with executive management experience in the aerospace industry1 who shall be-- 7i7 appointed by the ,chairperson2 and 7ii7 considered a special government employee4 7#c7 ,terms ,a member of the ,board shall be appointed for a term of #f years1 except that of the members first appointed1 so as to stagger the terms-- 7,a7 the ,chairperson shall be appointed for a term of #f years2 7,b7 each member appointed under subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,e7 of paragraph 7#b7 shall be appointed for a term of #b years2 7,c7 each member appointed under subparagraphs 7,f7 through 7,j7 of paragraph 7#b7 shall be appointed for a term of #d years2 and 7,d7 each remaining member shall be appointed for a term of #f years4 7#d7 ,conflicts of interest 7,a7 ,in general ,no member of the ,board shall have a financial interest 7including an employment relationship7 in an entity seeking a grant or cooperative agreement under this section4 7,b7 ,code of conduct ,the ,board shall establish a code of conduct to govern the behavior of the ,board1 which shall-- 7i7 include avoidance of conflicts of interest2 and 7ii7 use the ,federal ,standards of ,conduct for all members of the ,board4 7#e7 ,vacancies 7,a7 ,in general ,in the case of a vacancy on the ,board1 not later than #ij days after the vacancy occurs1 the vacancy shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made4 7,b7 ,filling unexpired term ,an individual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member replaced4 7#f7 ,duties 7,a7 ,in general ,the duties of the ,board shall be-- 7i7 to develop all budget requests1 policies1 and standard operating procedures of the ,institute2 7ii7 to supervise the operations of the ,institute2 7iii7 to appoint and supervise an ,executive ,director for the ,institute2 7iv7 to set research priorities for the ,institute2 and 7v7 for fiscal year #bjbh and each fiscal year thereafter1 to submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a budget request for ,institute operations1 including grants or cooperative agreements under subsection 7e74 7,b7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress defined ,in this paragraph1 the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7i7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate2 and 7ii7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#g7 ,prohibition on use of funds for compensation ,none of the amounts made available for the ,institute may be used to provide compensation to any member of the ,board4 7#h7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the ,institute to regulate1 review1 or otherwise oversee a microgravity project of an private entity unless the private entity is a recipient of ,federal funds4 7c7 ,executive ,director 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,institute shall be headed by an ,executive ,director1 who-- 7,a7 shall be knowledgeable in matters relating to microgravity research opportunities2 7,b7 shall be appointed and supervised by the ,board2 and 7,c7 shall serve at the pleasure of the ,board until such time as the ,board considers appropriate4 7#b7 ,appointment ,in making an appointment for the ,executive ,director1 the ,board shall consider an individual's technical qualifications1 professional standing1 and demonstrated knowledge in the field of health1 advanced manufacturing1 research1 or engineering4 7#c7 ,duties ,the ,executive ,director shall-- 7,a7 ensure the efficient and transparent implementation of this ,act2 and 7,b7 in coordination with the ,board1 carry out activities of the ,institute4 7#d7 ,appointment of staff ,the ,executive ,director may enter into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to staff additional personnel to implement and oversee the activities carried out by the ,institute under subsection 7d74 7#e7 ,compensation ,the ,chairperson of the ,board may fix the compensation of the ,executive ,director4 7d7 ,activities ,the ,institute shall-- 7#a7 identify1 publish1 and maintain a current list of next-generation microgravity platforms available for use by the ,institute2 7#b7 develop and implement guidelines and project selection criteria1 and engage with relevant entities1 for use of next-generation microgravity platforms by all microgravity research projects and qualified national microgravity projects of ,government agencies2 7#c7 provide competitively awarded grants or cooperative agreements to facilitate the development of research projects and qualified national microgravity projects1 with matching funds1 as described in subsection 7e72 7#d7 facilitate cooperation among the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 other ,government departments and agencies1 the ,states1 and academia so as to ensure the enhancement and sustained operations of the ,institute2 7#e7 coordinate flight opportunities on next-generation microgravity platforms1 subject to the availability of appropriations1 for any research project or qualified national microgravity project-- 7,a7 considered to be sensitive to the national interest of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 that reflects the microgravity priorities of the ,united ,states2 and 7#f7 coordinate with the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 the ,,iss ,national ,laboratory1 next-generation microgravity platform providers1 and researchers to gather lessons learned that may be used to support the transition of ,united ,states microgravity research and development from the ,,iss ,national ,laboratory to a new structure4 7e7 ,grants or cooperative agreements 7#a7 ,coordination of projects ,the ,institute1 in coordination with ,government entities represented on the ,board1 shall coordinate microgravity research projects and qualified national microgravity projects on next generation microgravity platforms4 7#b7 ,award of grants ,subject to the availability appropriations1 the ,institute may award any appropriated grants to1 or enter into cooperative agreements with1 eligible entities on a competitive basis for the purpose of conducting microgravity research and development projects using next-generation microgravity platforms4 7#c7 ,applications 7,a7 ,submission of materials 7i7 ,in general ,an entity seeking a grant under this subsection for any research project or qualified national microgravity project shall submit to the ,institute an application at such time1 in such a manner1 and containing such information as may be reasonably required and made available to the public on the internet website of the ,institute 7ii7 ,exception ,with respect to a proposed research project or qualified national microgravity project for which a entity submits an application under this subsection1 the ,institute shall not make application information available to the public under clause 7i7 if-- 7,i7 disclosure of such information presents a national security risk2 or 7,,ii7 the application contains proprietary information4 7,b7 ,contents ,to be approved for a grant under this subsection1 an application for proposed project shall demonstrate the manner in which the project advances sound scientific principles and aligns with the national scientific priorities and interests of the ,government4 7#d7 ,eligible entities ,entities eligible for a grant under this subsection include domestic-- 7,a7 public entities2 7,b7 private entities2 7,c7 nonprofit organizations2 and 7,d7 for-profit organizations4 7#e7 ,partnerships ,the ,institute1 in consultation with the ,board1 may partner with ,government entities to co-fund 7or otherwise support grants awarded by other ,government entities71 on a competitive basis and subject to the availability of appropriations1 research projects and qualified national microgravity projects for the purpose of promoting microgravity research and development projects using next-generation microgravity platforms4 7#f7 ,use of next-generation microgravity platforms 7,a7 ,in general ,the recipient of a grant under this subsection may contract with any next-generation microgravity platform unless the ,board determines that the project concerned is sensitive to the national interest of the ,united ,states4 7,b7 ,coordination 7i7 ,in general ,in the case of a determination that such a project is sensitive to the national interest of the ,united ,states1 in the ,administrator shall coordinate with the grant recipient and the ,institute to allow the grant recipient to use the allocated crew time of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration onboard a next-generation microgravity platform1 as available4 7ii7 ,limitation ,use by a grant recipient of allocated crew time under clause 7i7 may exceed #ej percent of such crew time4 7#g7 ,federal grants and consultation ,the head of a ,government agency may-- 7,a7 within an appropriated grant1 award to the ,institute or an eligible entity described in paragraph 7#c7 #a or more subgrants for space research2 and 7,b7 consult with the ,institute for technical assistance1 enter into a partnership with the ,institute1 and coordinate with the ,institute for purposes of evaluate microgravity research and development projects4 7f7 ,prohibition on interference with ,government-,funded activities ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,institute shall not interfere with any agreement between the ,united ,states ,government and a microgravity platform provider with respect to the conduct of research and development activities in partnership with any ,federal entity other than the ,institute4 7g7 ,minimizing costs1 constraints and burdens on other activities ,the ,institute shall1 to the extent practicable1 implement a policy that seeks to administer the activities of the ,institute in a manner that places minimal costs1 constraints1 and burdens on other authorized activities4 7h7 ,rule of construction ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 nothing in this section may be construed to constrain a department or agency of the ,united ,states ,government from entering into an agreement with a next-generation microgravity platform provider other than through a grant provided by the ,institute4 7i7 ,funds authorized 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator is authorized to provide funds for the implementation of the activities described in this section1 subject to appropriations and compliance with this ,act4 7#b7 ,administrative expenses ,not more than #e percent of the amounts provided pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 may be used for administrative expenses of the ,institute1 including staff salaries4 #d4 ,,iss national laboratory and ,,iss cooperative agreement ,not later than #ahj days after ,,iss research operations have ceased1 the ,administrator shall terminate the ,,iss ,national ,laboratory and the cooperative agreement with the ,,iss management entity under section #ejd7;a7 of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration ,authorization ,act of #bjaj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ahced7;a774