Introduced on November 20, 2013 U.S.C. section(s) affected 51 U.S.C. ยง 50915 | Number of co-sponsors 3 | |
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Full title To extend the application of certain space launch liability provisions through 2014. Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith (R, TX-21) | ||
The Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act (H
Contents
Background
Senator Bill Nelson has a similar bill in the United States Senate that would extend the system for three years instead of one. The system was created in 1988 when Congress passed the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments.
Provisions of the bill
This summary is based largely on the summary provided by the Congressional Research Service, a public domain source.
The Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act would extend through December 31, 2014, the application deadline for licenses with respect to which the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) is required to pay third-party claims in excess of a commercial space launcher's required insurance coverage.
Procedural history
The Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act was introduced into the United States House of Representatives on November 20, 2013 by Rep. Lamar Smith (R, TX-21). It was referred to the United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. On November 27, 2013, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced the H.R. 3547 would be considered on the House floor on December 2, 2013. On December 2, 2013, the House voted in Roll Call Vote 612 to pass the bill 376-5. The Senate voted on December 12, 2013 to pass the bill amended by unanimous consent. This sent the bill back to the House for reconsideration of the amendment version.
One month later, the House and Senate leadership have decided to use H.R. 3547 as a vehicle for passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014. The House leadership intends to vote on amendment to the bill on January 15, 2014 so that the Senate has a chance to work on it before the deadline. That amendment would be 1,500 pages long and include all of the consolidated appropriations needed to fund the federal government until October 1, 2014. The originally material for the Space Launch Liability Indeminification Extension Act became one paragraph in Section 8.
Debate and discussion
Speaking in favor of the bill, Rep. Smith said that "this important protection is similar to what other nations provide and enables our space industry to remain competitive." Smith also noted that "the provision has never been triggered by a serious accident."