How S 428 changes current law

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies the Office of Space Commerce by transitioning it to a Bureau of Space Commerce, changing leadership roles, and expanding its functions to include space situational awareness and space traffic coordination.

• 51 U.S.C. § 50701

  In this chapter, the term “Office” means the Office of Space Commerce established in section 50702 of this title. → In this chapter: (1) Assistant secretary.--The term 'Assistant Secretary' means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Space Commerce. (2) Bureau.--The term 'Bureau' means the Bureau of Space Commerce established under section 50702. (3) Orbital debris.--The term 'orbital debris'-- (A) means-- (i) any human-made space object orbiting Earth that-- (I) no longer serves an intended purpose; (II) has reached the end of its mission; or (III) is incapable of safe maneuver or operation; and (ii) a rocket body and other hardware left in orbit as a result of normal launch and operational activities; and (B) includes fragmentation debris produced by failure or collision of human-made space objects. (4) Secretary.--The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce. (5) Space object.--The term 'space object' means any object launched into space or created in space, robotically or by humans, including the component parts of such an object. (6) Space situational awareness.--The term 'space situational awareness' means-- (A) the identification, characterization, tracking, and the predicted movement and behavior of space objects and orbital debris; and (B) the understanding of the space operational environment. (7) Space traffic coordination.--The term 'space traffic coordination' means the planning, assessment, and coordination of activities to enhance the safety, stability, and sustainability of operations in the space environment.

  This change redefines the Office of Space Commerce to include additional definitions and terminologies relevant to its expanded functions.

• 51 U.S.C. § 50702

  There is established within the Department of Commerce an Office of Space Commerce. → There is established within the Department of Commerce a Bureau of Space Commerce.

  This change elevates the Office of Space Commerce to a Bureau, allowing for enhanced authority and responsibility.

• 51 U.S.C. § 50702(b)

  who shall be a senior executive and shall be compensated at a level in the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5 as determined by the Secretary of Commerce. → who shall-- (1) be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; (2) report directly to the Secretary of Commerce; and (3) have a rate of pay that is equal to the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5.

  This change modifies the leadership structure to require Senate confirmation for the Assistant Secretary.

• 51 U.S.C. § 50702(c)

  to provide support to Federal Government organizations working on Space-Based Positioning Navigation, and Timing policy, including the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Position,[1] Navigation, and Timing. → to perform space situational awareness and space traffic management duties pursuant to the SAFE Orbit Act.

  This expands the functions of the Bureau to include vital space management responsibilities.

• 5 U.S.C. § 5315

  Assistant Secretaries of Commerce (11) → Assistant Secretaries of Commerce (12)

  This adds the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Space Commerce to the list of Assistant Secretaries under the Executive Schedule.