Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Space Resource Exploration and 
Utilization Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. TITLE 51 AMENDMENT.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle V of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

       ``CHAPTER 513--SPACE RESOURCE EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION

``Sec.
``51301. Definitions.
``51302. Commercialization of space resource exploration and 
                            utilization.
``51303. Legal framework.
``Sec. 51301. Definitions
    ``In this chapter:
            ``(1) Space resource.--The term `space resource' means a 
        natural resource of any kind found in situ in outer space.
            ``(2) Asteroid resource.--The term `asteroid resource' 
        means a space resource found on or within a single asteroid.
            ``(3) State.--The term `State' means any of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
        commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
            ``(4) United states commercial space resource utilization 
        entity.--The term `United States commercial space resource 
        utilization entity' means an entity providing space resource 
        exploration or utilization services, the control of which is 
        held by persons other than a Federal, State, local, or foreign 
        government, and that is--
                    ``(A) duly organized under the laws of a State;
                    ``(B) subject to the subject matter and personal 
                jurisdiction of the courts of the United States; or
                    ``(C) a foreign entity that has voluntarily 
                submitted to the subject matter and personal 
                jurisdiction of the courts of the United States.
``Sec. 51302. Commercialization of space resource exploration and 
              utilization
    ``(a) In General.--The President, acting through appropriate 
Federal agencies, shall--
            ``(1) facilitate the commercial exploration and utilization 
        of space resources to meet national needs;
            ``(2) discourage government barriers to the development of 
        economically viable, safe, and stable industries for the 
        exploration and utilization of space resources in manners 
        consistent with the existing international obligations of the 
        United States; and
            ``(3) promote the right of United States commercial 
        entities to explore outer space and utilize space resources, in 
        accordance with the existing international obligations of the 
        United States, free from harmful interference, and to transfer 
        or sell such resources.
    ``(b) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this section, the President shall submit to Congress a 
report that contains recommendations for--
            ``(1) the allocation of responsibilities relating to the 
        exploration and utilization of space resources among Federal 
        agencies; and
            ``(2) any authorities necessary to meet the international 
        obligations of the United States with respect to the 
        exploration and utilization of space resources.
``Sec. 51303. Legal framework
    ``(a) Property Rights.--Any asteroid resources obtained in outer 
space are the property of the entity that obtained such resources, 
which shall be entitled to all property rights thereto, consistent with 
applicable provisions of Federal law and existing international 
obligations.
    ``(b) Safety of Operations.--A United States commercial space 
resource utilization entity shall avoid causing harmful interference in 
outer space.
    ``(c) Civil Action for Relief From Harmful Interference.--A United 
States commercial space resource utilization entity may bring a civil 
action for appropriate legal or equitable relief, or both, under this 
chapter for any action by another entity subject to United States 
jurisdiction causing harmful interference to its operations with 
respect to an asteroid resource utilization activity in outer space.
    ``(d) Rule of Decision.--In a civil action brought pursuant to 
subsection (c) with respect to an asteroid resource utilization 
activity in outer space, a court shall enter judgment in favor of the 
plaintiff if the court finds--
            ``(1) the plaintiff--
                    ``(A) acted in accordance with all existing 
                international obligations of the United States; and
                    ``(B) was first in time to conduct the activity; 
                and
            ``(2) the activity is reasonable for the exploration and 
        utilization of asteroid resources.
    ``(e) Exclusive Jurisdiction.--The district courts of the United 
States shall have original jurisdiction over an action under this 
chapter without regard to the amount in controversy.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end of the items for subtitle 
V the following:

``513. Space resource exploration and utilization...........   51301''.
                                                 

Summary: Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015 Directs the President, acting through appropriate federal agencies, to: facilitate the commercial exploration and utilization of space resources to meet national needs. Discourage government barriers to the development of economically viable, safe, and stable industries for the exploration and utilization of space resources in manners consistent with the existing international obligations of the United States. And promote the right of US commercial entities to explore outer space and utilize space resources, in accordance with such obligations, free from harmful interference, and to transfer or sell such resources. Defines quot, space resourcequot. As a natural resource of any kind found in place in outer space. Directs the President to make recommendations to Congress for: (1) the allocation of responsibilities relating to the exploration and utilization of space resources among federal agencies, and (2) any authorities necessary to meet US international obligations with respect to such exploration and resource utilization. Declares that any asteroid resources obtained in outer space are the property of the entity that obtained them, which shall be entitled to all property rights to them, consistent with applicable federal law and existing international obligations. States that a US commercial space resource utilization entity: shall avoid causing harmful interference in outer space, and may bring a civil action in a US district court for any action by another entity subject to US jurisdiction causing harmful interference to its operations with respect to an asteroid resource utilization activity in outer space.