The SPACEPORT Act is about helping states and local communities build and improve facilities for launching spacecraft. Right now, the federal government can provide grants to cover up to 90 percent of the cost of these spaceport projects, but the Secretary of Transportation can waive this limit if it's considered important for national interests. This bill makes a few key changes to how these grants work.

First, it expands who can receive these grants by clarifying that "public agencies" include state governments, local governments, airport authorities, and tax-supported organizations. Second, it broadens the types of space needs the grants can support—not just government space missions, but also national security and commercial space activities. The bill also requires the Transportation Secretary to work with the Defense Department, NASA, and Commerce Department when evaluating which projects deserve funding, making sure decisions consider impacts on military launch sites and other government facilities.

Finally, the bill requires the Transportation Secretary to study America's space transportation needs and report back to Congress within two years with recommendations on funding, regulations, and how the U.S. compares to other countries' space capabilities. This report must be updated every four years. The bill authorizes up to $10 million per year for these grants, which is a set amount for funding spaceport improvement projects across the country.