Space Frontier Act of 2019
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S 919 — Space Frontier Act of 2019
Last action — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 323.
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Summary
Space Frontier Act of 2019 The bill revises provisions relating to commercial space launch license applications and experimental permits. The Department of Transportation shall consolidate across federal agencies requirements to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, national security interests, and foreign policy interests of the United States relevant to any commercial space vehicle into a single application set that satisfies those requirements and expedites the coordination of commercial space services. NASA is authorized to establish a low-Earth orbit commercialization program. The bill revises and sets forth provisions relating to nongovernmental Earth observation activities. NASA must ensure that the International Space Station remains a viable and productive facility capable of potential U.S. use through at least FY2030.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
16 added · 8 removedPlain-language change summary
The amendment adds the names of Mr. Peters and Mr. Scott of Florida as co-sponsors of the bill. This change matters because it reflects broader support for the bill among various legislators, which could influence its consideration and potential passage in the legislative process. Additionally, the text remains unchanged regarding the specific insertion of “Assistant Secretary for Commercial Space Transportation” following “Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.”
919 IntroducedReported in Senate (IS)](RS)] <DOC> 116thCalendar CONGRESSNo. 1st Session S.
919323 To116th reduceCONGRESS regulatory1st burdensSession andS. streamline processes related to commercial space activities, and for other purposes.
919 [Report No.
116-172] To reduce regulatory burdens and streamline processes related to commercial space activities, and for other purposes.
Markey, and Mr.
Wicker)Wicker, introducedMr. the following bill;
whichPeters, was read twice and referredMr. to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To reduce regulatory burdens and streamline processes related to commercial space activities, and for other purposes.
Scott of Florida) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation December 11, 2019 Reported by Mr.
Wicker, without amendment _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To reduce regulatory burdens and streamline processes related to commercial space activities, and for other purposes.
and (2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``Assistant``an Assistant Secretary for Commercial Space Transportation,'' after ``Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology,''.
<all>Calendar No.
323 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
919 [Report No.
116-172] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To reduce regulatory burdens and streamline processes related to commercial space activities, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________ December 11, 2019 Reported without amendment
View plain text versions (2)
- Reported Reported to Senate Current html December 11, 2019
- Introduced Introduced in Senate html March 27, 2019
Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.
The bill modifies existing laws regarding commercial space activities, primarily by streamlining processes and enhancing the role of the Secretary of Transportation and other agencies.
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51 U.S.C. § 50921
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the activities of the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation—→ (b) Authorization of Appropriations.-- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the activities of the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation—This change appends a new subsection (b) to authorize appropriations explicitly.
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51 U.S.C. § 50921
(a) Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.--The Assistant Secretary for Commercial Space Transportation shall serve as the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
This establishes the role of the Assistant Secretary for Commercial Space Transportation as the Associate Administrator.
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51 U.S.C. § 50905
the Secretary, not later than 180 days after accepting an application in accordance with criteria established pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(D), shall issue or transfer a license if the Secretary decides in writing that the applicant complies, and will continue to comply, with this chapter and regulations prescribed under this chapter.→ the Secretary, not later than the applicable deadline described in subparagraph (C), shall issue or transfer a license if the Secretary decides in writing that the applicant complies, and will continue to comply, with this chapter and regulations prescribed under this chapter.This reformulates the deadlines for license issuance based on applicant type.
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51 U.S.C. § 50905
(e) Use of Existing Authorities.-- The Secretary shall use existing authorities, including waivers and safety approvals, as appropriate, to make more efficient use of resources, reduce the regulatory burden for an applicant under this section, and promote commercial space launch and reentry.
This addition emphasizes the Secretary's use of existing authorities to reduce regulatory burdens.
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51 U.S.C. § 50904
(e) Multiple Sites.--The Secretary may issue a single license or permit for an operator to conduct launch services and reentry services at multiple launch sites or reentry sites.
This allows for a single license to cover multiple locations for launch and reentry, facilitating operations.
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51 U.S.C. § 50906
(j) Use of Existing Authorities.-- The Secretary shall use existing authorities, including waivers and safety approvals, as appropriate, to make more efficient use of resources, reduce the regulatory burden for an applicant under this section, and promote commercial space launch and reentry.
This mandates the Secretary to utilize existing authorities to ease the regulatory load on applicants for experimental permits.
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51 U.S.C. § 50906
(2) Expediting safety approvals.--The Secretary shall expedite the processing of safety approvals that would reduce risks to health or safety during launch and reentry.
This mandates expedited processing for safety approvals related to launch and reentry.
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51 U.S.C. § 50901(b)(2)(B)
and encouragingThis change removes 'and encouraging' from the text, streamlining the focus of governmental involvement in space technology.
Action History
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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-172.
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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-172.
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Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 323.
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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
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Introduced in Senate
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sponsors
- Ted Cruz · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Cruz, Ted Republican
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (546)
546 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 546 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 919 do?
- Space Frontier Act of 2019 The bill revises provisions relating to commercial space launch license applications and experimental permits. The Department of Transportation shall consolidate across federal agencies requirements to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, national security interests, and foreign policy interests of the United States relevant to any commercial space vehicle into a single application set that satisfies those requirements and expedites the coordination of commercial space services. NASA is authorized to establish a low-Earth orbit commercialization program. The bill revises and sets forth provisions relating to nongovernmental Earth observation activities. NASA must ensure that the International Space Station remains a viable and productive facility capable of potential U.S. use through at least FY2030.
- Who sponsors S 919?
- S 919 is sponsored by Cruz, Ted (Republican).
- What is the current status of S 919?
- This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track S 919?
- Track S 919 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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