Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1508
Sponsor: Rep. Posey, Bill [R-FL-8]
Introduced: 2015-03-19 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Industrial policy and productivity
Mining
Property rights
Space flight and exploration
Spacecraft and satellites
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-19
text: 

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 U.S. 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 resource&quot; as a natural resource of any kind found in place in outer space. 
 
Directs the President to report recommendations for: (1) allocating responsibilities relating to the exploration and utilization of space resources among federal agencies, and (2) any authorities necessary to meet U.S international obligations with respect to the exploration and utilization of space resources.
 
Declares that any asteroid resources obtained in outer space are the property of the entity that obtained them.
 
Requires a U.S. commercial space resource utilization entity to avoid causing harmful interference in outer space. Authorizes such an entity to bring a civil action for appropriate relief for any action by another entity subject to U.S. jurisdiction causing harmful interference to its operations with respect to an asteroid resource utilization activity in outer space.

action_date: 2015-06-15
text: 

Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) 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 U.S. 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 resource&quot; 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 U.S. 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 U.S. commercial space resource utilization entity: 
 
 
shall avoid causing harmful interference in outer space, and 
 
may bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for any action by another entity subject to U.S. jurisdiction causing harmful interference to its operations with respect to an asteroid resource utilization activity in outer space. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 111.
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 114-153.
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 114-153.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 15.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-03-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2015-03-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-19
text: Introduced in House