HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 688 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 Directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to study the development and utilization of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Report. ----------
Patrons-- Plum, Albo, Callahan, Caputo, Ebbin, Rust, Scott, J.M. and Watts; Senators: Herring, Howell, Puller and Ticer
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WHEREAS, since the launch of the first private suborbital flight in 2004, Ohio, New Mexico, and Texas began developing plans to build spaceports for the launch of future suborbital flights; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that the private space launch industry will reach $1 billion in annual revenue by 2020, mostly attributed to suborbital commercial tourism flights; and

WHEREAS, with the growth of the International Space Station and future planned missions to the Moon and Mars, NASA will likely look to private companies to contract for re-supply missions; and

WHEREAS, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located on Wallops Island, is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to perform orbital and suborbital launches; and

WHEREAS, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's proximity to several suborbital and orbital launch companies provides it a competitive advantage in attracting launch business; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science be directed to study the development and utilization of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.

In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall (i) identify any federal or state regulatory impediments, including taxation, to the development of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport; (ii) identify potential economic development opportunities and marketing strategies to attract launch companies to Virginia; (iii) identify potential state legal barriers to human spaceflight, including liability and assumption of risk issues; and (iv) develop a long-term strategic plan to make the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport the premiere commercial hub for space travel in the United States.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science for this study, upon request.

The Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2007, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Commission on Technology and Science intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.