H.R. 290 · 118th Congress · House

Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2023

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced
Jan 11, 23
Passed House
Jan 30, 23
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2023

This bill modifies provisions relating to the licensing of private remote sensing space systems. (Remote sensing refers to the collection of unenhanced data by an instrument in Earth's orbit that can be processed into imagery of surface features of the Earth; private remote sensing space systems refer to remote sensing instruments not owned by the U.S. government.)

The bill decreases from 120 to 60 days the amount of time in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must review and make a determination on an application for a license to operate a private remote sensing space system.

Further, the bill expands annual reporting on the licensing of private remote sensing systems to include a list of all applications, listed by tier, as well as the rationale for each tier categorization (currently, each license is categorized into one of three tiers based on whether the system produces or is capable of producing unenhanced data that is already available from other entities). Additionally, the report must include all terms, conditions, or restrictions placed on licensees.

The bill also extends the requirement for annual reports from September 30, 2020, to September 30, 2030.

Previous Versions

00Jan 11, 2023

Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2023

This bill modifies provisions relating to the licensing of private remote sensing space systems. (Remote sensing refers to the collection of unenhanced data by an instrument in Earth's orbit that can be processed into imagery of surface features of the Earth; private remote sensing space systems refer to remote sensing instruments not owned by the U.S. government.)

The bill decreases from 120 to 60 days the amount of time in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must review and make a determination on an application for a license to operate a private remote sensing space system.

Further, the bill expands annual reporting on the licensing of private remote sensing systems to include a list of all applications, listed by tier, as well as the rationale for each tier categorization (currently, each license is categorized into one of three tiers based on whether the system produces or is capable of producing unenhanced data that is already available from other entities). Additionally, the report must include all terms, conditions, or restrictions placed on licensees.

The bill also extends the requirement for annual reports from September 30, 2020, to September 30, 2030.

Action Timeline

11
  1. JAN 31, 2023IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

  2. JAN 30, 2023IntroReferral

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H495)

  3. JAN 30, 2023Floor

    Mr

    Lucas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  4. JAN 30, 2023Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H495-496)

    495Yea
    496Nay
    0NV
  5. JAN 30, 2023Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 290.

  6. JAN 30, 2023Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H495)

  7. JAN 30, 2023Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H495)

  8. JAN 30, 2023Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  9. JAN 11, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  10. JAN 11, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  11. JAN 11, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Committees

2

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: Jan 31, 2023

Active

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

hssy00

Referred: Jan 11, 2023

Active