H.R. 3752 - Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act
H.R.3752
Bill was approved by a vote of 402-1
Burgess Voted Yes
Title:To promote the development of the emerging commercial human space flight industry, to extend the liability indemnification regime for the commercial space transportation industry, to authorize appropriations for the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] (introduced 2/3/2004)
Cosponsors: 4
Committees: House Science; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
House Reports: 108-429
Related Bills: H.RES.546, S.1260
Latest Major Action: 3/8/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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SUMMARY AS OF:
3/1/2004--Reported to House, without amendment.
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 - (Sec. 2) States that Congress finds that: (1) the goal of opening space to the American people and to their private commercial enterprises should guide Federal space investments, policies, and regulations; (2) private industry has begun to develop commercial launch vehicles capable of carrying human beings into space; (3) greater private investment in these efforts will stimulate the commercial space transportation industry; and (4) space transportation is inherently risky.
(Sec. 3) Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to define the following terms: (1) crew; (2) permit; (3) space flight participant; (4) suborbital rocket; and (5) suborbital trajectory. Amends the definitions of: (1) launch; (2) launch services; (3) reentry services; (4) launch vehicle; (5) reenter and reentry; and (6) third party.
Specifies that regulatory authority for such transportation shall be with the Secretary of Transportation, through the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. (Current law specifies the Secretary of Transportation.)
Provides for the issuance of experimental permits (including permits for reusable suborbital rockets) allowing for an unlimited number of launches.
Prohibits operating a reusable suborbital rocket under a permit for carrying any property or human being for compensation or hire.
Directs the Secretary when issuing permits, in order to encourage the development of a commercial space flight industry and to the greatest extent practicable, to waive certain requirements if such requirements are determined not necessary to protect the public health and safety.
Permits the holder of a license or a permit to: (1) launch or reenter crew only if the crew has received specified training and has satisfied specified medical standards; (2) launch or reenter a space flight participant only if the holder of the license or permit has informed the space flight participant in writing about the risks of the launch or reentry, including the safety record of the launch or reentry vehicle type, and the space flight participant has provided written informed consent to participation in the launch or reentry; and (3) launch and reenter crews and space flight participants only in accordance with regulations and applicable laws.
Provides for expedited procedures for the issuance of permits.
Requires crew and space flight participants to execute reciprocal waivers of claims with licensees and permitees and the Federal government.
Makes liability indemnification program requirements inapplicable to space flight participants.
Extends, for three years, liability insurance and financial responsibility requirements.
Authorizes appropriations through FY 2007.
(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to arrange for a study of how best to gradually eliminate the liability risk sharing regime for commercial space transportation. Requires the study to assess methods by which the liability risk sharing regime could be eliminated by 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter and the impact those methods would be likely to have on the commercial space transportation industry.
