To promote the development of the commercial space transportation industry, to authorize appropriations for the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, and for other purposes.

June 13, 2003

Mr. MCCAIN (for himself and Mr. BROWNBACK) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

To promote the development of the commercial space transportation industry, to authorize appropriations for the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Commercial Space Transportation Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. OFFICE OF COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION.

Section 70119 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by striking `and' in paragraph (1);

(2) by striking `2002.' in paragraph (2) and inserting `2002;'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

`(3) $12,601,000 for fiscal year 2004;

`(4) $12,979,000 for fiscal year 2005;

`(5) $13,368,000 for fiscal year 2006;

`(6) $13,769,000 for fiscal year 2007; and

`(7) $14,183,000 for fiscal year 2008.'.

SEC. 3. COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION INDEMNIFICATION EXTENSION.

Section 70113(f) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking `December 31, 2004.' and inserting `December 31, 2009.'.

SEC. 4. SUBORBITAL VEHICLE REGULATIONS.

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress a report on the need for a distinct regulatory regime for suborbital vehicles taking into account the unique characteristics and purposes of these vehicles.

END