In the nature of a substitute.

SA 6748, proposed by Mrs. Moody for Mr. Peters, aims to change bill S. 434 by striking all text after the enacting clause and inserting new provisions. The purpose is to establish the Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act.

The amendment adds the following:

• Establishment of a Committee: The Secretary of Commerce must establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

• Membership: The Committee will have 15 members appointed by the Secretary. Members must have significant commercial space industry experience from fields such as science, legal, finance, engineering, policy, technical, and academic. Generally, Federal employees cannot be appointed, except for special government employees. Terms last no more than 4 years, and members cannot serve again for 2 years after their term ends.

• Duties: The Committee is tasked to:

  • Advise on nongovernmental space activity developments.
  • Recommend ways for the U.S. to promote a safe, competitive, and innovative commercial space sector.
  • Provide recommendations on challenges regarding export controls, international obligations, radio frequency spectrum access, and harmful interference.
  • Review best practices to prevent the contamination of celestial bodies and adverse environmental changes on Earth from extraterrestrial matter.
  • Provide advice on U.S. and other commercial space sector activities.

• Termination: The Committee will end 10 years after it is established.