H.R. 1368 · Passed House · Science, Technology, Communications

DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act

Sponsor: Nicholas J. Begich III (R-AK)

What it does

• Provides statutory authority for a research and development partnership between the Department of Energy and NASA.
• Authorizes a memorandum of understanding supporting collaborative research that advances both agencies' missions.
• Allows joint research in areas such as dark matter, large voluntary space and aeronautical data sets, and multi-agency data sharing.
• Supports NASA's access to Department of Energy research infrastructure and requires a joint report on the collaboration.

Official summary

DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act This bill provides statutory authority for a research and development partnership between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Specifically, the bill authorizes DOE and NASA to enter into a memorandum of understanding to support cross-cutting and collaborative research and development that furthers the missions of both agencies. Through the partnership, DOE and NASA may conduct research in a variety of focus areas (e.g., dark matter), develop ways to support large voluntary data sets on space and aeronautical information, promote multi-agency data sharing, and support NASA's access to DOE research infrastructure. DOE and NASA must jointly report on their collaboration.

Latest action

Mar 25, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation